Russia has sent over 200,000 doses of Sputnik V vaccine to India, and the number will reach 3 million by May-end, said DB Venkatesh Varma, Indian Ambassador to Russia.

India has been using two vaccines-indigenously produced Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and AstraZeneca's vaccine produced by Serum Institute of India as Covishield.

With Sputnik V, developed by the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), the health authorities in India will have a third vaccine to aid the mega vaccination drive, which has been extended to 18-44 years age group since May 1, IBNS said. 

Meanwhile, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, the partner of Sputnik V Covid vaccine in India, on Saturday stated that efforts were on to produce the vaccine in five Indian sites with collaborative efforts.

The pharma giant representatives said that they were confident to make 15 to 20 crore doses of vaccine available during the next six months through imports and manufacturing within the country.

“The equitable allocation of vaccines will be ensured to all the States in our country,” they added.

India has already received two consignments of vaccines from Russia. Inoculations with Sputnik V in Hyderabad started on May 14 following the arrival of the first batch of the vaccine on May 1.

Sputnik V was approved for use in India on April 12 and granted emergency use authorisation. India is the leading production hub for Sputnik V.

The pricing of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine, currently capped at Rs 995 per dose (including GST), is expected to come down once local manufacturing of the vaccine begins, according to a company spokesperson from Dr Reddy's Laboratoriesr.

The company was currently engaged in discussions to bring the single-dose vaccine Sputnik Light to India, the spokesperson added.

Dr Reddy's Laboratories had earlier a contract of 250 million vaccine units with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF).

Sputnik V has already been soft-launched in India on May 14 as part of the pilot rollout.

(SAM)