India's free Covid vaccination drive faces hurdles in supply, hesitancy

On June 21, the government claimed that a record 8.6 million vaccines were administered across India.

India has launched the latest phase of its COVID-19 vaccination campaign, offering free vaccinations to everyone in India —around 940 million adults. However, the question remains about how this drive can reach its intended population amidst emerging challenges. Since its June 21 start date, the program has been marred by controversies like the use of digital apps, websites and high costs that excluded the digitally deprived and rural poor.

The current COVID-19 vaccination program is the largest of any adult vaccination effort in India's history. To date, the country has administered 315 million vaccine doses, with approximately 4 percent of