Bihar: 100% adult population vaccinated with first dose, says govt

PATNA: The state on Thursday touched 100% mark as far as giving the first dose of Covid vaccines to beneficiaries above 18 years of age is concerned. So far, 5.96 crore people in this age group have received at least the first dose of Covid vaccines in the state. Also, over 90% of eligible people above 18 years have been fully vaccinated in the state.

According to the data available with the state government data, there are 5.95 crore people above the age of 18 years in Bihar. However, according to the health department data, 5.96 crore people have been given the first dose, a little more than the target.

State Health Society additional executive director Animesh Kumar Parasar said the slight increase was because of the additional population added in this group in the New Year.

“Till previous year, we had 5.95 crore targeted population. However, those who were 17-year-old are now eligible in this category,” Parasar said, adding the state has almost touched the ceiling of vaccinating its adult population with the first dose.

Pointing out that there could be flexibility in the data, Parasar said tourist places like Goa and Daman and Diu had vaccinated more than 100% of the targeted population because migrants and tourists were also jabbed at these places.

He added Bihar may add more in this category as migrants also return to the state from different places and get vaccinated.

So far, 4.53 crore people have been fully vaccinated in the state. However, as far as eligibility is concerned, a little over 90% have been given the second dose after the completion of time interval as in case of Covishield, the second dose is given after 84 days of the first dose. On the other hand, 8.10 lakh beneficiaries were eligible in Bihar for the precaution dose till Thursday.

Of them, 2.90 lakh had been vaccinated till Thursday morning and they account for 36% of the total target.

Meanwhile, 31.78 lakh beneficiaries in the age group of 15-18 years have so far been given the first dose of Covid vaccine in the state against the total population of 83.46 lakh in this age group.