99% population covered, Himachal leads in vaccination

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 27

Having inoculated over 99 per cent of its eligible population against Covid, Himachal Pradesh has been ranked number one in vaccination in the country. National Health Mission data shows that of the 54.22 lakh people in the 18-plus category, 53.91 lakh (99.42 per cent) have been administered the first dose while 16,93,373 have got the second. The count is much higher compared to the national average of 48.1 per cent. The corresponding figure for the neighbouring states is 40 per cent in Punjab, 61.5 per cent Jammu and Kashmir and 73 per cent Uttarakhand. In Kerala, a state witnessing a massive spike in daily cases, the number stands at 71 per cent.

“We have set November 30 deadline to complete the second dose of vaccination of the entire 18-plus population,” said Amitabh Awasthy, Secretary, Health and Family Welfare. So far, 3,569 persons have succumbed to the virus, of the 2,12,739 who tested positive.

Among Covid warriors, 94,136 healthcare workers have received the first dose and 79,495 the second. The corresponding count for frontline workers is 2,41,831 and 81,889.

44,658 cases in India

TOTAL DEATHS 4,36,861

ACTIVE CASES 3,44,899

496 deaths in 24 hours