UNICEF congratulates India on reaching 200 billion Covid-19 vaccination mark

UNICEF on Sunday congratulated India on reaching the 200 billion Covid-19 vaccination mark.

UNICEF congratulates India on reaching 200 billion Covid-19 vaccination mark (Representative image)

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) on Sunday congratulated India on reaching the 200 billion Covid-19 vaccination mark.

Yasumasa Kimura, UNICEF India Representative said, “UNICEF congratulates India on reaching the remarkable milestone of administering 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccination. Guided by the country’s leadership, relentless efforts of many actors including healthcare and frontline workers, have made this tremendous achievement possible.”

“Completing two billion doses of vaccines in 18 months in a country as vast and diverse as India, is a phenomenal accomplishment and a testament to the grit and dedication of India’s health workers who have worked tirelessly to boost vaccination coverage in all parts of the country, despite the challenges of repeated pandemic waves, inclement weather, difficult terrain and hard-to-reach areas,” Yasumasa Kimura said.

Yasumasa Kimura further said that this is a moment to also honour the hard work of scientists, health practitioners, vaccine manufacturers, and policy makers who ensured timely availability and equity in vaccines reaching all.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic response, UNICEF is pleased to have extended support to the Government of India by procuring and supplying over 4,195 pieces of electrical cold chain equipment, including walk-in coolers, freezers, ice lined refrigerators, and deep freezers. We also supplied more than 600,000 pieces of cold boxes and vaccine carriers,” Yasumasa Kimura added.

INDIA CROSSES 200-CRORE VACCINATION MARK

India’s cumulative Covid-19 vaccination coverage crossed the 200 crores or 2 billion mark on Sunday, 18 months after vaccinations began in the country.

The first shot in the country was administered on January 16, 2021.

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