New Delhi: India on Monday crossed major milestone in its fight against the novel coronavirus. In the world's largest vaccination drive, the cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country crossed the 3 crore mark on Monday, the Health Ministry stated.

A total of 18,63,623 vaccine doses were administered on Monday, taking the total vaccinations in India to 3,17,71,661 on the 59th day of the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination, as per the report shared by the ministry. Of these, 15,98,136 beneficiaries were administered the first dose and 2,65,487 healthcare and frontline workers received a second dose of vaccine as per the provisional report compiled till 7 p.m., it added.

On the other side, Ludhiana became the first city in the country on Monday to extend COVID-19 vaccination to the people beyond the priority group listed by the central government.

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According to the Health Ministry, those administered the vaccination include 74,08,521 HCWs (Health Care Workers) who have taken the first dose and 43,97,613 who have taken the second dose, 74,26,479 FLWs (Frontline Workers) have taken the first dose while 13,23,527 of them received the second dose.

"Besides, 16,96,497 beneficiaries aged 45 and above with specific co-morbidities and 95,19,024 beneficiaries more than 60 years old also received their first shot," it added.