Hyderabad based Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories on the 14th of May, announced to receive the first consignment of Sputnik V. The imported package of Russian vaccine against the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached India on the 1st of May and was sent to Hyderabad on the 14th of May. On the 1st of May, the first consignment of 1,50,000 doses of Sputnik V landed in India. In the duration of one month, the Russian Government would send 3 million doses of Sputnik V. The vaccine is developed by Russia’s Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology against the deadly Novel Coronavirus.
The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) CEO Kirill Dmitriev joined hands with India against the COVID-19 crisis and said, Russia and India would be the largest production hubs for Sputnik V. The vaccination has 90 % efficiency over the COVID-19 illness and has to be administered 21 days apart.
The consignment reached Hyderabad after getting clearance from the Central Drugs Laboratory Kasauli, on the 13th of May.
With this, the first dose of Sputnik V against the Wuhan Virus was administered in Hyderabad on the 14th of May. The launch of the vaccine in India is currently a pilot project with the limited stock of vaccines.
According to sources, the dose of Sputnik V is being administered at a cost of Rs. 948 + 5% GST. As of now, the Company is working closely with its six manufacturing partners in India to fulfill regulatory requirements to ensure smooth and timely supply.
Dr. Reddy’s laboratory would work closely with stakeholders in the Government and private sector in India to ensure the widest possible reach of the Sputnik V vaccine as part of the national inoculation effort. This is a reaffirmation of the Company’s commitment to explore every avenue in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in India.
G.V. Prasad, the Co Chairman and Managing Director of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratory said, “With the rising cases in India, vaccination is our most effective tool in our battle against Covid-19. Contributing to the vaccination drive in India is our biggest priority right now to help Indians be healthy and safe.”
India’s Dr. Reddy’s Laboratory and Russia signed an agreement to develop the vaccination for the distribution in India. The RDIF, which is marketing Sputnik V globally, had already announced that the vaccine would be distributed to India from the 1st of May.
With the addition of Sputnik V in India, the nation would have three vaccinations for people. At present, there are only two India made vaccines for COVID-19. One is the Serum Institute of India (SII) manufactured Covishield and the Hyderabad based Bharat Biotech International Private Limited manufactured COVAXIN.
The additional vaccination would expand the daily doses given to people. The ongoing nationwide vaccination drive started from the 16th of January and administered more than 17.5 crores doses till date.
Stay tuned for further updates.
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