'India scripts history!' Modi, Shah congratulate nation on crossing one bn COVID-19 vaccination milestone

India has achieved a new milestone in COVID-19 vaccinations today, 21 October, by administering one billion or 100 crore vaccines. The figure includes both partially and fully vaccinated people. According to reports, India is the second country after China to achieve this milestone.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to commemorate the achievement, calling it the "triumph of Indian science, enterprise and collective spirit of 130 crore Indians".

India scripts history.

We are witnessing the triumph of Indian science, enterprise and collective spirit of 130 crore Indians.

Congrats India on crossing 100 crore vaccinations. Gratitude to our doctors, nurses and all those who worked to achieve this feat. #VaccineCentury

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 21, 2021

Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated all researchers, scientists, and healthcare workers for the milestone, and extended his best wishes to Modi as well.

We did it. #VaccineCentury pic.twitter.com/TegP1siU1F

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 21, 2021

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya took to social media to celebrate the achievement, calling the milestone a result of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

Congratulations India for we have achieved what looked impossible a few months ago.

100 crore vaccine doses have been administered successfully!

Thanks to our PM @narendramodi ji for such strong leadership in such difficult times.#VaccineCentury#100CroreVaccination

— Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (@gssjodhpur) October 21, 2021

बधाई हो भारत!

दूरदर्शी प्रधानमंत्री श्री @NarendraModi जी के समर्थ नेतृत्व का यह प्रतिफल है।#VaccineCentury pic.twitter.com/11HCWNpFan

— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) October 21, 2021

NITI Aayog health member Dr VK Paul said that it is “remarkable” that the country has crossed the one billion vaccination mark in a matter of nine months. He added that efforts must be made to ensure that the remaining population is vaccinated.

Congratulations to the people&healthcare workers of India. It's remarkable to reach 1 billion dose mark for any nation,an achievement in just over 9 months since the vaccination program started in India: Dr VK Paul, Member-Health,NITI Aayog on India crossing 100 crore vaccination pic.twitter.com/k9VMkf0OlY

— ANI (@ANI) October 21, 2021

World Health Organisation (WHO) South East Asia regional director, Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh said that reaching the milestone would not have been possible “without strong political leadership, inter-sectoral convergence, dedicated efforts of the entire health & frontline workforce”. She added that the achievement needed to be seen in the context of India’s efforts to ensure that the coronavirus vaccines are available globally.

The extraordinary feat in a short span was not possible without strong political leadership, inter-sectoral convergence, dedicated efforts of the entire health & frontline workforce: Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia

— ANI (@ANI) October 21, 2021

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that India had achieved “what looked impossible a few months ago”. He thanked the prime minister for his leadership during the pandemic.

Congratulations India for we have achieved what looked impossible a few months ago.

100 crore vaccine doses have been administered successfully!

Thanks to our PM @narendramodi ji for such strong leadership in such difficult times.#VaccineCentury#100CroreVaccination

— Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (@gssjodhpur) October 21, 2021

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the employees of the Indian Railways has played a major role in achieving the milestone of 100 crore vaccinations. He requested people to shun vaccine hesitancy and get the jab against COVID-19 .

This is a significant milestone. Railways employees have also played an important role in achieving this milestone. We have to make sure that the people receive full vaccination. Appeal to people to shun COVID19 vaccine hesitancy: Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw pic.twitter.com/8orN4V5hG7

— ANI (@ANI) October 21, 2021

BJP national secretary BL Santosh said the milestone was “a phenomenal achievement”, praising healthcare workers and scientists for their efforts.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sharma expressed that the 100 crore vaccine milestone was because of the commitment of the country’s frontline workers in battling the pandemic.

As we hit the historic #VaccineCentury, let's salute the commitment of our frontline workers in battling #COVID19 under the dynamic leadership of Adarniya PM Shri @narendramodi ji & Health Minister Shri @mansukhmandviya ji. pic.twitter.com/Tt8Uyl6Xjg

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) October 21, 2021

According to news reports, the government wants the entirety of the country’s 944 million adults to be vaccinated in 2021. About 74 percent of the country’s adult population is partially vaccinated, while approximately 31 percent are fully jabbed.