New Delhi: NITI Aayog on Saturday said that India has surpassed the United States with regard to the number of first dose-vaccination. As compared to 17.2 crore people, who have been inoculated with the first shot of vaccine in India, the US has done the same for 16.9 crore people.

Dr. VK Paul, NITI Aayog member (Health) said, “We have overtaken the US in terms of several people who have received at least a single dose of Covid-19 vaccine. It is reassuring that we are steadily improving and intensifying the vaccine campaign and it will be intensified so much more in the days to come.”

The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has crossed 22.75 crores, with 33,57,713 doses being administered Friday, the Union Health Ministry said.

It said 16,23,602 beneficiaries in the age group 18-44 years received their first dose and 31,217 in the same category their second dose on Friday. Cumulatively, 2,58,45,901 people in the age group across 36 states and union territories have received their first dose and 1,18,299 their second dose since the vaccination drive began for them on May 1. Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have administered more than 10 lakh beneficiaries of the age group 18-44 years for the first dose, the ministry said. The total of 22,75,67,873 includes 99,44,507 healthcare workers (HCWs) who have taken the first dose and 68,40,415 HCWs who have taken the second dose. It also includes 1,60,45,747 frontline workers (FLWs) who have received the first dose and 86,34,525 FLWs who have taken the second dose. As many as 2,58,45,901 and 1,18,299 individuals in the 18-44 years age group have received the first and second dose respectively. Besides, 6,96,94,235 and 1,11,86,697 beneficiaries aged over 45 to 60 years old have been administered the first and second dose respectively.