Given over 2.77cr COVID vaccine doses to States, UTs so far: Centre

New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry in its report on Saturday revealed that the Centre has so far provided 22,77,62,450 Covid-19 vaccine doses to States and Union Territories (UTs), and 4,86,180 more doses are still in the pipeline to be distributed within the next three days.

The supplied vaccines include both the free of cost category and direct state procurement category, Union Health Ministry said.

The total vaccine consumption including wastages is 20,80,09,397 doses.

"More than 1.82 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses (1,82,21,403) are still available with the States and UTs to be administered and furthermore, more than 4 lakh (4,86,180) vaccine doses are in the pipeline and will be received by the States/UTs within the next three days." Data said.

India began the Covid-19 vaccination drive from January 16 and implemented the Liberalized and of the world's largest vaccination exercise from May 1.

As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, the Central government has been supporting the states and the UTs by providing them Covid vaccines free of cost. In addition, the Centre has also been facilitating direct procurement of vaccines by the states and the UTs.

Under the accelerated Phase-3 strategy, every month 50 per cent of the total Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) cleared vaccine doses of any manufacturer would be procured by Govt of India, the Ministry said, adding "It would continue to make these doses available to the State Govts totally free of cost as was being done earlier".