India is set to reach the milestone next week of administering more than 100 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said. Sharing details before media on Wednesday, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that 73 percent of the country's entitled population had received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines and over 28 crore additional doses will be produced in the days ahead. Mandaviya added that about 29 per cent of the eligible population has been administered both doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

As of 13 October, India had administered 96.43 crore vaccine doses and was slowly marching towards the 100-crore mark. Several events have been planned on the day of the achievement and Prime Minister Narendra Modi may also address the nation thanking healthcare workers for their historic feat.

The Health Minister further added that 97 crore vaccines have already been administered thus far and the 100 core target is likely to be reached next week. He said that New Delhi will consider resumption of vaccine exports to other countries after the domestic demands are met. According to the Union Health Ministry, states have over eight crore vaccine doses and complaints of shortage have not been received from any state.

India launched its COVID-19 vaccination drive on 16 January. In its first phase, the nation targeted its 10 million health-workers, who were deemed to have high risk of exposure to the infection.

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