Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, January 10 lauded those who took the precautionary dose against COVID-19 and requested all those who are eligible to get vaccinated.
The Prime Minister on his Twitter account wrote, "India began administering Precaution Doses. Kudos to those who have got vaccinated today. I would request all those who are eligible to get vaccinated. As we all know, vaccination remains among the most effective means to fight COVID-19."
Today, more than 9 lakh healthcare and frontline workers, and 60-plus citizens with comorbidities received their third Covid jab.
The "precaution doses" are being rolled out as the country witnesses a massive spike in Covid cases.
According to the health ministry data, 4,91,013 precaution dose have been administered to healthcare workers, 1,90,383 to frontline workers and 2,54,868 to the 60-plus population with comorbidities on Monday.
The cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country crossed 152.78 crore (1,52,78,35,951) with over 82 lakh (82,76,158) doses being administered on Monday (till 7 pm).
Over 82 lakh doses includes 21,49,200 given to the beneficiaries in the 15-18 years age group. The total doses administered to this category of beneficiaries is 2,59,87,741 so far, the ministry said.
The same COVID-19 vaccine that has been administered in the previous two doses would be given as the "precaution dose" to these categories of beneficiaries.
The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late night.
The countrywide vaccination drive was rolled out on January 16 with healthcare workers (HCWs) getting inoculated in the first phase. The vaccination of frontline workers (FLWs) started from February 2.
The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from March 1 for people over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions.
