New Delhi: More than 1.93 crore (1,93,95,287) of Covid vaccine doses are still available with the States and Union Territories, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Affairs said today.

The Centre has so far provided, both through the free of cost category and through direct State procurement category, more than 24 crore vaccine doses (24,21,29,250) to them.

Of this, the total consumption, including wastages, is 22,27,33,963 doses, as per data available this morning.

‘As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID vaccines free of cost. In addition, the Centre has also been facilitating direct procurement of vaccines by the States/UTs. Vaccination is an integral pillar of the comprehensive strategy of Government of India for containment and management of the pandemic, along with Test, Track, Treat and COVID Appropriate Behaviour,’ it said.

Implementation of the Liberalized and Accelerated Phase-3 Strategy of Covid-19 vaccination has started from May 1, 2021. Meanwhile, the country recorded 1,32,364 new cases of the novel Coronavirus in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of infections to 2,85,74,350.