The union government on Tuesday said that more than 16.05crore balance and unutilized COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with the States and Union Territories.

The Centre said that more than 184.68crore (1,84,68,98,455) vaccine doses have been provided to the state and UTs so far. The vaccine doses gave been provided through the free of cost channel of the central government and direct state procurement category.

"More than 16.05 crore (16,05,51,136) unutilized vaccine doses are still available with the States/ UTs that are to be administered," it said.

The nationwide COVID 19 vaccination started on January16, 2021. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced on 21 June 2021.

The vaccination drive has been ramped up through the availability of more vaccines, advanced visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.

As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, the Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them with COVID Vaccines free of cost.

In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID-19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply (free of cost) 75 per cent of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.

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