Young, Indian, unvaccinated: The world's largest inoculation drive falters

Vaccinations opened up from May 1 for people aged between 18 and 45, leading to a surge in sign-ups. But there was no corresponding increase in vaccine supplies.

India began an inoculation drive for its 1.38 billion people in earnest in mid-January.

Healthcare, frontline workers and the elderly were the first eligible, followed by people aged over 45 in April and then adults aged 18-45 in May.

That last extension, covering around 43% of the population, proved to be a crunch point.

Following a surge in COVID-19 infections across the country in April, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accelerated plans to broaden the programme and opened up vaccinations from May 1 for people aged between 18 and 45 years.

The decision led to a rush by people in that