India has administered more than one billion jabs since it started its covid-19 vaccination drive in January. While more than 31% of the eligible population has been fully vaccinated, 75% have received their first dose, the government said on Thursday.

Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh led in terms of the number of vaccine doses administered so far, according to the Union health ministry.

Prime Minister NarendraModi expressed his gratitude to all healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses, for achieving the milestone. In a tweet, Modi said: “India scripts history. We are witnessing the triumph of Indian science, enterprise, and collective spirit of 130 crore (1.3 billion) Indians. Congrats India on crossing 100 crore (1 billion) vaccinations. Gratitude to our doctors, nurses and all who worked to achieve this feat." 

Modi also expressed his gratitude to vaccine manufacturers, workers engaged in vaccine transportation, and health sector professionals engaged in vaccine development. “To counter the largest pandemic in 100 years, the country now has a strong protective shield of 100 crore (1 billion) vaccine doses. This achievement belongs to India and its citizens," said Modi at the inauguration of Infosys Foundation’s VishramSadan at the National Cancer Institute’s Jhajjar campus, AIIMS New Delhi, via video conference. 

To commemorate the achievement, celebrations were also planned across the country. Union health minister MansukhMandaviya released a song by KailashKher and a film to mark the occasion. Ships anchored at Indian ports hooted to mark the billion doses, while state governments involved folk and handloom artists to celebrate the occasion through their artworks. The Archaeological Survey of India, under the ministry of culture, participated in the celebrations by illuminating 100 monuments, including UNESCO world heritage sites, in tricolour.

According to the health ministry, the first 100 million doses were administered in 85 days, while the last 100 million doses were given in just 24 days. Since 6 August, when India breached the 500 million dose mark, it took just 76 days to go past the 1 billion-dose mark.

The World Health Organization (WHO) too took note of India’s achievement. WHO director-general TedrosAdhanomGhebreyesus congratulated Modi, the scientists, health workers, and the citizens of India for equitable vaccine distribution and administering 1 billion doses in just 279 days.

While the health ministry said 75% people above 18 years have been vaccinated with the first dose and over 31% of the population has been completely vaccinated, Johns Hopkins University’s covid-19 tracker said India has fully vaccinated only about 21% of its population.