Russian vaccine Sputnik V to be available in India from next week

Union Health Ministry has announced that Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine will be available in markets across the country early next week. The announcement comes 12 days after the first consignment of one lakh 50 thousand doses of the Sputnik V vaccine landed in Hyderabad from Russia. Sputnik V is developed by Russia’s Gamaleya National Center.

It will be the third vaccine to be cleared for use in India at a time when the country is in the grip of an intense second wave and demand for vaccines has shot up. Dr VK Paul, member NITI Aayog, made the announcement at a Health Ministry press briefing on the Covid-19 situation in the country. Dr Paul also said that the local production of Sputnik V will begin in July and Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy’s Laboratories will manufacture the vaccine in India.