Tamil Nadu administers COVID vaccines to over 8 crore people

Chennai: The total number of people who have been administered vaccines against Covid-19 in Tamil Nadu breached eight crore, with 19.07 lakh beneficiaries receiving the shots during the 15th mega vaccination drive conducted on Saturday, the health department said. As many as 6,21,942 people received the first dose of vaccines, while 12,85,067 the second, aggregating to 19,07,009 overall, a press release said.

As on date, 84.26 per cent of the total population have been covered under the first dose of vaccination while 54.73 per cent the second dose. The vaccination exercise has been conducted at primary health centres, government hospitals and other vital locations. "The total number of vaccines administered, including both at government run hospitals and private health care facilities, breached eight crore today (Saturday)", the release said. Minister for Medical and Family Welfare Ma Subramanian visited the vaccination camps conducted in neighbouring Chengalpet district.

The Health department commenced the mass vaccination programme every Sunday beginning September 12 and since then it has been conducting the campaign every week. In the 14 mass vaccination exercises held so far, 2.63 crore people have received the jabs, the release said.