Many Indians skipping second Covid-19 shot despite record vaccine stocks

A "significant number" of people in India have not taken their second COVID-19 vaccine dose by the due date, despite adequate supplies, the health ministry said on Tuesday, as the number of new infections has fallen to its lowest level since early March.

Daily admissions have averaged 5 million this month, one-fifth from September's peak, though states are sitting on record inventories of more than 100 million as domestic production of the AstraZeneca vaccine surges.

Despite the low number of infections, ministry officials have urged people to get vaccinated soon, especially as the ongoing festival season means family gatherings and massive purchases, increasing the risk of infection.