<p>After plenty of states declared that they won't be able to continue the third phase of the covid vaccination drive due to shortage of vaccine, the Health Ministry informed that 84,599 beneficiaries in the 18-44 age group received their first dose on Saturday.<br /><br />A total of 16,48,192 vaccine doses were given till 8 pm on Saturday, the 106th day of the inoculation drive, the ministry said.<br /><br />As many as 9,89,700 beneficiaries were vaccinated for the first dose and 6.58 lakh beneficiaries received the second dose, according to the provisional report.<br /><br />A total of 84,599 people in the 18-44 age group have been administered the first dose. The ministry said final reports would be completed for the day by late night.<br /><br />The total vaccinations across the country rose to over 15.66 crores.<br /><br />These include 94.28 lakh healthcare workers who have taken the first dose and 62.65 lakh people who have taken the second dose, 1.26 crore frontline workers who have received the first dose and 68.78 lakh such workers who have taken the second dose, it said.<br /><br />In the 45-60 age group, 5.33 crore people have taken the first dose, while over 40 lakh have been given the second dose of the jab so far.<br /><br />As many as 5.26 crore people aged above 60 have taken the first dose and 1.14 crore beneficiaries have taken the second dose.<br /><br />The phase 3 vaccination drive has come into force from May 1.<br /><br />The Centre has advised the states and Union territories to set up help desks with the aid of volunteer groups and NGOs.</p> <p><em><strong>(With Agency Inputs)</strong></em></p>

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