India is set to roll out a Covid-19 vaccination programme by next week, aiming to cover 300 million people by July, its top health official said in what would be one of the world’s largest inoculation drives against the coronavirus.

Authorities have readied some 29,000 cold storage facilities across the country and large scale vaccination dry-runs have been conducted in 125 districts encompassing all states, federal health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said.

“A final call will be taken by the government,” Bhushan told a press briefing when asked about a specific roll-out date.

Health workers prepare a vaccination room inside a classroom of a school, which has been converted into a temporary Covid-19 vaccination centre in Ahmedabad, India on Jan 4. — Reuters
Health workers prepare a vaccination room inside a classroom of a school, which has been converted into a temporary Covid-19 vaccination centre in Ahmedabad, India on Jan 4. — Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

Budget presser
Updated 14 Jun, 2026

Budget presser

If the FBR falters, the government will find itself in hot water sooner rather than later.
Muharram precautions
14 Jun, 2026

Muharram precautions

WITH Muharram due to start next week, the authorities have already begun annual exercises to ensure that the ...
Blood bequests
14 Jun, 2026

Blood bequests

WORLD Blood Donor Day offers a moment of “gratitude, advocacy and renewed commitment” for thalassaemia patients...
Sustainable path?
Updated 13 Jun, 2026

Sustainable path?

The FY27 budget is the first clear signal that the government is ready to transition from stabilisation to growth.
Prioritising education
13 Jun, 2026

Prioritising education

THOUGH the improvement in the country’s literacy rate may be slight, as highlighted by the Economic Survey, it ...
Poverty’s rise
13 Jun, 2026

Poverty’s rise

AS attention turns to the government’s plans for the coming fiscal year, one set of figures deserves particular...