On Wednesday, 2,48,662 beneficiaries were vaccinated taking the total to over 43.9 lakh till late evening accounting for 47% of total 92,61,227 health workers enrolled from the public and private sector.
Compared to India, the US took 20 days, whereas UK and Israel took 39 days to vaccinate four million people.
Among the major states (with large pool of beneficiaries), Madhya Pradesh vaccinated the highest 69.4% of its healthcare workers till February 2, followed by Rajasthan at 64.7%.
However, in absolute numbers, UP vaccinated the highest over 4.63 lakh, 51% of its over 9 lakh healthcare workers in 18 days. On the other hand, Maharashtra, with the largest health workforce with 9,36,857 beneficiaries registered, vaccinated only 34%. Tamil Nadu (22.6%), Delhi (26.6%), Chhattisgarh (29%), Puducherry (12.3%) and Goa (28.3%) are among the states with poor coverage of Covid vaccination.
Manipur has registered the lowest vaccination at 10% till February 2. Lakshadweep has covered 90% of its health workers and tops the list despite its small demographic. West Bengal and Karnatakahave inoculated 41.1% and 40.9%, respectively. Other states like Odisha, Kerala, Haryana and Gujarat have over 50% coverage of their total health workforce.
West Bengal and Gujarat have started vaccinating frontline workers and more states are likely to join this week. The government aims to inoculate a total of around three crore health and frontline workers on priority by March-April.