500 mn Covid vaccine doses to be made available by Aug: Harsh Vardhan

India's coronavirus caseload mounted to 89,58,483 on Thursday with 45,576 infections being reported in a day, while the death toll climbed to 1,31,578 with 585 new fatalities

Noting that it is natural to prioritise Covid-19 vaccine distribution, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday said health care workers and people aged above 65 would be early recipients when a vaccine becomes available. Addressing a webinar organised by the FICCI FLO on ‘The Shifting Healthcare Paradigm During and Post-Covid', he said Covid-19 vaccine will be available in next few months and it is estimated that by July-August 400-500 million dos­es will be made available for 25-30 crore people.

“The vaccine distribution would have to be prioritised. As you know the health care workers who are corona warriors they will be