New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry on Thursday revealed that more than 2.18 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with states and union territories, and over 56,70,350 more are on the pipeline and will be received by them in the next three days.
According to the ministry, the total consumption, including wastage, is 25,10,03,417 doses (as per data available at 8 am on Thursday) and added that a total of 2,18,28,483 COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with the states and UTs to be administered.
"Furthermore, more than 56,70,350 vaccine doses are in the pipeline and will be received by them within the next three days," it said.
It added that the central government has been supporting the states and UTs by providing them COVID-19 vaccines for free as part of the nationwide vaccination drive.
In addition, it has also been facilitating direct procurement of vaccines by the states and UTs.
Vaccination is an integral pillar of the comprehensive strategy of the government of India for containment and management of the pandemic, along with test, track, treat and follow Covid-appropriate behaviour.
Implementation of the liberalised and accelerated phase-3 strategy of COVID-19 vaccination started on May 1, 2021.
Under the strategy, every month, 50 per cent of the total Central Drugs Laboratory-cleared vaccine doses of any manufacturer would be procured by the government of India.
The ministry further added that it would continue to make these doses available to the state government totally free of cost as was being done earlier.