Hyderabad: The largest consignment of Sputnik V vaccine comprising 3 million doses landed at the Hyderabad Airport on Tuesday. The consignment arrived in a specially chartered freighter at 3:43 AM, carrying 56.6 megatonnes of shipment including Sputnik V doses and bulk substance meant for fill-finish at Panacea Biotech.
This is so far the biggest consignment of vaccines received from Russia. The 3 million doses of Sputnik V have been delivered to Dr. Reddy Laboratories, Hyderabad. As per the demands of state governments, the vaccines will be distributed to different locations. The first batch of Sputnik V landed on 1st May in India, comprising 1.5 lakh doses.
Amid the second wave of the pandemic, receiving a consignment of 3 million doses of Sputnik V is a huge relief. After Covisheild and Covaxin, Sputnik V is the third vaccine to be administered within the nation. As per the Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI), Sputnik V vaccines can be used for emergency purposes for patients with certain conditions.
In support of using imported vaccines, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, “Sputnik V vaccines will be offered to people after 20th June. We are in touch with the Sputnik V makers to supply vaccines to the capital”.
Developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Sputnik V is an imported Russian vaccine that is developed based on a modified version of a common cold virus. The trial results of the Sputnik V vaccine are pretty consistent and it is tailored in a way to boost the immune system for fighting against the Covid-19 virus. Sputnik V can surely join the league of existing vaccines including Covishielf and Covaxin, especially in a situation of a shortage of vaccine doses in the country.