24x7 vaccination drives needed to curb future COVID-19 waves, boost economy: Finance Ministry

The Department of Economic Affairs noted in its monthly economic report for May 2021 that vaccination of 70 crore people with at least the first dose till September 2021 is paramount for boosting consumers and investors' confidence

An accelerated vaccination drive is imperative to avoid or lower the ferocity of subsequent waves of the spread of COVID-19 and boost economic growth, the Department of Economic Affairs noted in its monthly economic report for May 2021. Calling for a doubling of shifts or even 24x7 vaccination drives for a couple of months, particularly in August and September when supply is expected to increase significantly, the finance ministry said this can enable the ambitious, but possible, target of 1 crore shots a day. Terming the vaccination of 70 crore people with at least the first dose till September 2021 as 'paramount' for boosting consumers and investors' confidence and reinvigorating economic growth, the Finance Ministry pitched for it to be taken up on a 'mission' mode.