More than 80% of young people aged 15 to 18 have received their first dose of the Covid vaccine, as stated by the Union Health Minister on Tuesday. The total number of Covid vaccine doses administered in India has exceeded 192.52 crore as of Tuesday 7 am, according to a provisional report.

Vaccination for those aged 12-14 began on March 16, with over 3.30 crore adolescents in this age group receiving the first dose. The vaccination for the 15-18 age group started on January 3, and so far 5.92 crore beneficiaries in this age group have received their first dose.

India’s young population is driving the world’s largest vaccination campaign to new heights. The countrywide vaccination drive began on January 16 last year, and has expanded to include people over 60 and those aged 45 and above with specified comorbid conditions.

The government decided to expand the vaccination drive to include everyone above 18 years from May 1 last year, and began administering precaution doses to healthcare and frontline workers, those aged 60 and above with comorbidities, and all those above 18 from April 10.