The Indian Government has said that the next 100-125 days are critical in the fight against COVID. NITI Aayog member on health, Dr VK Paul, said that the decline in COVID-19 cases after the peak of the second wave seen two months ago has slowed down, adding that this should be considered as a warning signal.

Several states in the country have been lifting restrictions after it appeared that the second wave had been waning. However, the country is preparing for a possible third wave. Dr Paul stated that they were heading towards a target to administer 50 crore doses before July. He mentioned that 66 crore doses of Covishield and Covaxin have been ordered. An additional 22 crore doses will be given to the private sector. Dr Paul cited a study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), conducted among police personnel in Tamil Nadu, which showed that police personnel who had received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine avoided risk of death due to the illness… (NDTV, July 16, 2021)