India is witnessing a modest resurgence of COVID-19 cases, with 257 (As of May 20, 2025) active infections reported nationwide. Kerala leads with 69 new cases, followed by Maharashtra with 44, and Tamil Nadu with 34. This uptick is attributed to the emergence of the JN.1 variant, a descendant of the Omicron BA.2.86 strain, which has been identified as a ‘variant of interest’ by the World Health Organization. Despite the rise in cases, all reported infections are currently mild, with no hospitalizations or deaths, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
In this context, revisiting India’s extensive COVID-19 vaccination campaign becomes pertinent. Since its inception in January 2021, the campaign has achieved significant milestones in immunizing the population across various states and age groups. Understanding the distribution and coverage of vaccinations can provide insights into the nation’s preparedness and resilience against emerging variants.
Key Insights on India’s COVID-19 Vaccination Drive
High Overall Coverage
As of Jun 2024, India has administered over 2.2 billion vaccine doses, with 95% of the eligible population (aged 12 and above) receiving at least one dose, and 88% being fully vaccinated.
State-wise Leaders in Vaccination
Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Bihar have administered the highest number of vaccine doses, reflecting both their large populations and effective vaccination strategies.
Youth Vaccination Efforts
Vaccination for adolescents aged 12–17 commenced later in the campaign, with varying uptake across states, influenced by school-based initiatives and public awareness programs. In this category, UP with 1.6 crore, Bihar with 76.9 lakh, Maharashtra with 4.7 lakh vaccinated persons are top three states.
Senior Citizen Coverage
Individuals aged 60 and above were prioritized early in the campaign, resulting in high first-dose coverage. However, some states observed a lag in administering second doses and booster shots to this demographic. With almost 1 crore vaccinated senior citizens, Uttar Padesh is No. 1 in this category as well. UP is followed by Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat are on second and third positions with 66 and 59 lakh vaccinated people respectively.
Vaccine for Kids from 12-14 years
The Government of India launched a vaccination campaign for children aged 12 to 14, with Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Bihar leading in the number of doses administered in this age group.
Quick look on overall numbers
| Category | Dose | No. of People |
| 18+ Population | 1st Dose | 92,23,71,972 |
| 18+ Population | 2nd Dose | 86,57,87,623 |
| 15-18 Years | 1st Dose | 6,21,62,396 |
| 15-18 Years | 2nd Dose | 5,38,04,106 |
| 12-14 Years | 1st Dose | 4,13,16,213 |
| 12-14 Years | 2nd Dose | 3,25,40,753 |
| Precaution Dose | 18-59 Years | 15,86,64,212 |
| Precaution Dose | 60+ Years, HCW, FLW | 7,02,47,586 |
| Total | 2,20,68,94,861 |
