India administered 1 billion vaccines against COVID-19 | USA

NEW DELHI (AP) – India has administered 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines, authorities said Thursday, a milestone for a country where the delta variant fueled a devastating wave of infections earlier this year.

About 75% of the adult population that could be immunized have received at least one dose, while about 30% completed the vaccination schedule. The country of almost 1,400 million inhabitants is the second to overcome the barrier of 1,000 million doses administered after China, the most populous in the world, which was born in June.

Coronavirus cases have fallen dramatically since the devastating months earlier this year when the most contagious delta variant, which was first detected in the country a year ago, infected hundreds of thousands of people daily, saturating hospitals. and crematoria.

Authorities pushed the vaccination campaign in recent months, which experts say has helped control the outbreak.

However, there remains a worrying gap between those who have only one dose and those who have already received both. Increasing the percentage of seconds is “an important priority,” said VK Paul, director of the national task force against COVID-19, last week.

“We would like to see this number increase. Full coverage is absolutely critical, “he added.

India, a major global supplier of vaccines, suspended exports in April due to the situation in the country and did not resume shipments until early this month. The government is now optimistic that the existing supply, which has been increased, will be sufficient to cover both its national and international commitments. Two of the major manufacturers have increased their production: the Serum Institute now makes about 220 million doses a month, and Bharat Biotech, about 30, Paul said.

Experts say the vaccination situation on the ground needs constant review. “There can be no definitive rule. If infections rise dramatically, they will have to slow down exports again until there are sufficient doses, ”said K Srinath Reddy, President of the Public Health Foundation of India.

Indian health authorities confirmed more than 14,000 new infections on Wednesday. Active cases are less than 1% of the total of those registered since the beginning of the pandemic, which now exceed 34 million, with more than 450,000 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health.

In recent months, life in India has returned to normal. Markets are bustling with activity, tourists can enter the country after a 19-month hiatus and the nation is gearing up for the celebration of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.