The Centre on Saturday told the Supreme Court that the country will have as many as 188 crore vaccine doses the end of the year. The country is in talks with at least five manufacturers to procure the doses. As of now, 31 crore people have administered the vaccine shots, of which 5.6 per cent of the Indian population has received both the doses.
“Total population above 18 years of age is approximately 93-94 crore. As such, administering two doses to these beneficiaries would require an estimated 186 to 188 crore vaccine doses. Out of this requirement, 51.6 crore doses will be made available for administration by July 31 leaving a requirement of approximately 135 crore vaccine doses for complete vaccination to the eligible population,” the Centre said in an affidavit filed by Manohar Agnani, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
In the 375-page affidavit, the government also told the apex court its roadmap on how it plans to procure 135 anti-covid jabs.
“Sputnik V vaccine, developed by M/s Gamaleya Institute, Russia has received Emergency Use Authorization by the DCGI in April 2021 and is now being administered in India,” it said.
“Till June 25, 31 crore vaccine doses have been administrated across the country. COWIN platform registration is not mandatory, people in rural areas can visit the nearest vaccination centre go get vaccinated,” it said.
The Supreme Court will examine Centre’s affidavit on June 30.
