India reaches vaccination milestone as Covid-19 fight picks up pace in rural areas

India is ramping up its vaccination drive to stave off a third wave of infections, after managing to get at least a first dose of Covid-19 shots to over half of the nation’s eligible population. Indian officials said about 500 million people had received at least one jab as of August 26, 2021. Nationwide, the number of reported cases has remained stable since a wave of infections eased in June, but authorities are concerned about how the reopening of schools and other institutions will impact the nation’s pandemic fight.