Jun 22, 2021 - Health

India administers 8.6 million COVID-19 vaccines in a day

Erin Doherty

Beneficiaries receive COVID-19 vaccine during a vaccination drive at BPK Sahakari Vidya Mandir, on June 21, 2021 in Mumbai, India. — Beneficiaries receive COVID-19 vaccine during a vaccination drive on June 21, 2021 in Mumbai, India. Photo: Anshuman Poyrekar/Hindustan Times via Getty Images

India administered 8.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines Monday, setting a national record, the New York Times reports.

Why it matters: Monday's total comes amid a slow initial roll-out of coronavirus vaccines in India, delayed by vaccine shortages and disagreement between the states and central government, per the NYT.

Less than 20% of people have received at least one dose of the vaccine and less than 5% of the population is fully vaccinated.

Driving the news: Monday was also the first day of a new policy in India that offered free vaccines for all adults and gave the federal government a bigger role in procuring vaccines.

Vaccines manufactured by two companies — the Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech — are driving the country's vaccination efforts. Both companies have said that they seek to deliver about 1.3 billion doses from August to the end of the year, per the NYT.
Monday's vaccination total was the most shots given in a single day in any country besides China.

Yes, but: Monday's vaccination record was likely temporary as the current supply of vaccines in the country suggests it is unlikely that the country could sustain the current pace.

The big picture: India experienced one of the most devastating outbreaks of COVID-19.

About 390,000 people have died of coronavirus in India, and experts say that is a significant undercount, per NYT.

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India administers 8.6 million COVID-19 vaccines in a day

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