The pilot launch of Russia's Covid vaccine-Sputnik V-in India, which was initiated in Hyderabad, has now been extended to nine other cities.

These cities are Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, Kolhapur, Maharashtra and Miryalaguda, Telangana.
However, people cannot register for the Russian vaccine through the CoWIN portal as of now, IBNS said. 

The facility to register via the app will be available only when Sputnik V will be commercially launched, local distribution partner Dr Reddy's said in a statement.

The statement added that the pilot launch is in its final leg and necessary arrangements are being made to ensure the availability of both doses.

The pilot programme for Sputnik V, which received clearance from the drug regulator for emergency use in April, was launched on May 17 by Dr Reddy's in collaboration with Apollo Hospitals.

In India, the first dose of the Sputnik V was administered in Hyderabad on May 15 under the pilot launch. (SAM)