India has crossed the landmark of vaccinating 1 billion individuals in about nine months since the drive began. The countrywide vaccination program was launched on January 16 with the aim of covering all of India’s 944 million adults this year. As of now, 75% of them have got at least one dose and 31% have had two.
Nearly 90% of the vaccinated population has received shots of AstraZeneca, a two-shot Covid vaccine developed by AstraZeneca-Oxford University. This vaccine is also known in India as Covishield, and is manufactured by the Pune-based Serum Institute of India. Additionally, Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin, Russia’s Sputnik V, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines have received approval for emergency use in India.
Forbes says:
While cultural norms and deeply historic roots are pervasive throughout Indian culture, there is also a strong commitment towards innovation, science, and preservation of health. India is home to some of the most advanced healthcare innovation, research and development, and medical technologies in the world. It’s the world’s largest vaccine producer (even prior to Covid), and has forged incredible pathways into robotics, telemedicine, and preventative care. And perhaps most importantly with regards to modern healthcare, the government is committed to embracing cutting-edge digital health strategies. Overall, India is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to research and development on multiple fronts, but especially with regards to science and innovation.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
