India risks 600,000 coronavirus cases daily without more shots, claims a new study

India could be seeing 600,000 new coronavirus infections a day if it fails to ramp up the pace of vaccination.
Daily infections could come down to 200,000 if the 10-million-a-day vaccination plan is executed, a study by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Energy University and Nirma University has claimed.

Experts have predicted a new wave in coming weeks, though most see it as weaker than the previous surge. The study, while acknowledging lack of scientific evidence that a possible third wave may affect kids, suggested vaccinating children with serious underlying health conditions.


The National Institute of Disaster Management has adviced organizing hospital beds and and vaccinating the vulnerable to avert the devastation of the second wave that peaked in May, after killing more than 250,000 residents.

The handling of the second wave led to widespread criticism of the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity fell to 24% in August from 66% a year ago, according to an India Today survey. India has fully vaccinated only 9% of its population.

The study, while acknowledging lack of scientific evidence that a possible third wave may affect kids, suggested vaccinating children with serious underlying health conditions.