NEW DELHI, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The India government on Saturday said over 300,000 people were vaccinated against the COVID-19 in a single day for the first time since the beginning of inoculation drive last week.
The highest number of vaccinations so far was carried out on Friday.
"In the last 24 hours, 347,058 people were vaccinated across 6,241 sessions," the federal health ministry said.
According to the ministry, so far nearly 1.4 million beneficiaries have received COVID-19 shots.
"As on 23rd January 2021, till 8:00 a.m. (local time) nearly 14 lakh (13,90,592) beneficiaries have received the vaccination," the ministry said.
Officials say the inoculations have been conducted during 24,408 sessions held across the country.
On Thursday federal Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said COVID-19 vaccines were completely safe and effective and these vaccines will prove to be the last nail in the coffin of the COVID-19 disease.
The inoculation drive against COVID-19 across India began on Jan. 16.
Initially, around 30 million healthcare and frontline workers will be vaccinated, followed by those above 50 years of age and the under-50 population groups with co-morbidities numbering around 270 million.
Reports said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief ministers of states will be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the second phase of vaccination drive that will start in March or April. Enditem