1st lot of 1.5L Sputnik V doses arrives
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, May 1
The first batch of 1.5 lakh doses of Russia-made Covid vaccine Sputnik V arrived in India today with another 30 lakh doses expected by May-end. The doses were moved through customs speedily after these landed in Hyderabad for delivery to Dr Reddy’s Labs, the Indian partners of the Russian Gamaleya Institute, the makers of the vaccine. The doses arrived on the day India started its adult vaccination drive.
These will be sent to Dr Reddy’s Lab, which will start its distribution after mandatory domestic regulatory approvals. The vaccine stocks will first have to be cleared for distribution by the Central Drug Laboratory, Kasauli. Local production of Sputnik V is expected to be augmented to 850 million doses a year gradually.
MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said: “Sputnik V vaccine arrives in Hyderabad from Russia! Will add to India’s arsenal to fight the pandemic. This third option will augment our vaccine capacity and accelerate our vaccination drive.This is the first consignment of 1.5 lakh doses of Sputnik V vaccine with millions of doses to follow. Plans to ‘Make in India’ for use in India, Russia and 3rd countries. Deeply value support from long-standing friend Russia. Over a decade of India-Russia special and privileged strategic partnership.”Russian Ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev also tweeted: “Happy to share that the first batch of the SputnikV vaccine delivered in Hyderabad! As Russia India continue dedicated joint efforts to combat the Covid-19, this move is especially important to support the Indian Government’s endeavors to mitigate deadly 2nd wave & save lives.”Kudashev said the efficacy of Sputnik V was among the highest in the world and this vaccine would also be effective against new strains of Covid.
“Its local production is about to start soon and is planned to be gradually increased up to 850 million doses per year,” Kudashev said. The vaccine had posted nearly 92 per cent efficacy, which means it offers 92 per cent chances of disease reduction in those who accept it.
