New Delhi, Jan. 21 -- The anti-Covid-19 vaccination drive has failed to pick up the expected pace even after the fifth day when just 1,12,007 healthcare workers received the jab on Wednesday.

A total 7.86 lakh healthcare workers have been vaccinated since January 16 when the anti-Covid jab programme was launched with much fanfare in the country. The Government fears that with such a pace, it will take years to inoculate an estimated 3 crore healthcare and frontline workers that it plans to cover in the first phase.

"On Wednesday, 1,12,007 beneficiaries were vaccinated till 6 pm across 20 States and Union Territories," said Additional Secretary Manohar Agnani at a press conference here. He, however, said that the final report for the day...