New Delhi, March 3 -- In a major cause for concern, lakhs of people who were administered COVID-19 vaccine in the first phase have missed the second dose.

From January 16 to February 1, 33 lakh 50 thousand 265 people across the country which included health care and frontline workers took the first shot of the vaccine. But out of these only 24 lakh 19 thousand 557 people showed up to get the second dose of the vaccine.

This leaves out 9 lakh 30 thousand 708 people who either did not get the second dose in time or did not get it at all.

The union health ministry has expressed concern in the matter. Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that the people who missed the dose cannot be forced to take it and can only be made aware of it.

Bhus...