On the 3rd of June, the Serum Institute of India (SII) sought permission to manufacture the Russian made Sputnik V, a vaccine against the Wuhan virus.
The SII submitted an application regarding the same to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI.) In addition, the Pune based SII also asked for an approval for test analysis and examination of the Russian made Sputnik V.
As of now, India’s Dr. Reddy’s Laboratory has an agreement with Russia to develop the vaccination for the distribution in India. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF,) which is marketing Sputnik V globally, had already announced that in India the vaccine would be available and would be manufactured by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratory. It is to be noted, with this, 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.
A source close to the development and wishes to be anonymous said, “The Serum Institute of India (SII) put up an application to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on Wednesday seeking permission to manufacture the COVID-19 vaccine, Sputnik V, in India.”
Speaking about the supply of Covishield, the SII manufactured vaccine against the Wuhan virus, the SII officials assured to supply 10 crore doses in June. The Institute is also manufacturing Novavax vaccine against the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19.) The regulatory approval/clearance of this new vaccine is awaited by the United States of America. In India, the DCGI approved emergency use authorisation (EUA) of Novavax in April.
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.
However, 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 21.3 crore doses till date.
Stay tuned for further updates.
