The licensed distributors of the vaccine in India announced that 150 000 doses of the Russian Coronavirus disease vaccine (Covid-19) arrived in India on Saturday. The following article explains how to get Sputnik V vaccine in India.
According to Dr. Reddy’s Labs, which has the license to distribute the vaccine, the doses arrived in Hyderabad from Russia, and the company is completing the necessary formalities to begin distribution.
“We are pleased to announce that the first shipment of 150,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine has arrived in Hyderabad from Russia. A few days from now, the clearance process will take place so the consignment can be delivered. Dr. Reddy’s statement read, “This initial supply will be used across different channels as a pilot to line up our supply chain for the larger vaccination program rollout.”
— Sputnik V (@sputnikvaccine) May 13, 2021
Get Sputnik V Vaccine in India
More doses should arrive soon. “Subsequent consignments will arrive within the next few weeks. In a statement, Deepak Sapra, chief executive officer of API and services at Dr. Reddy’s, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to fighting Covid-19 in India.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, also confirmed the news via Twitter.
The Sputnik-V vaccine has arrived in Hyderabad from Russia! Adds to India’s arsenal in the fight against the pandemic. Soon after the vaccine arrived, he tweeted, “This third option will improve our vaccine capacity & increase vaccination rates.”.
🇮🇳🇷🇺
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) May 1, 2021
Sputnik-V vaccine arrives in Hyderabad from Russia! Will add to 🇮🇳’s arsenal to fight the pandemic. This third option will augment our vaccine capacity & accelerate our vaccination drive. pic.twitter.com/1G5stq5WjS
“This is the first consignment of 1.5 lakh doses of the Sputnik-V vaccine, with millions more to follow. Plans to use ‘Make in India’ in India, Russia, and third countries. We deeply appreciate the support of a long-time friend, Russia. “Over a decade of India-Russia special and privileged strategic partnership,” he said in another tweet.
Dr. Reddy’s Labs received approval from India’s drugs controller on April 13 for the import of the vaccine under restricted use in an emergency, making it the third vaccine approved for use in India against Covid-19.
This is the 1st consignment of 1.5 lakh doses of Sputnik-V vaccine with millions of doses to follow. Plans to ‘Make in India’ for use in 🇮🇳, 🇷🇺 & 3rd countries. Deeply value support from long-standing friend Russia. Over a decade of 🇮🇳🇷🇺 special & privileged strategic partnership pic.twitter.com/3CDc8yFRK0
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) May 1, 2021
India Production
Based on the results of the phase-3 clinical trials in Russia, where approximately 20,000 people took part, the vaccine’s efficacy is estimated at 91.6%. Dr. Reddy’s tested the vaccine in 1,600 people in a phase 2/3 trial meant to serve as a “bridging study” required of all foreign-made pharmaceutical products in India.
Local production could begin by the end of June or the beginning of July through various tie-ups. It is the Russian sovereign wealth fund that is marketing the vaccine globally.
In addition to a partnership with Dr. Reddy, which also conducts local clinical trials for Sputnik V. RDIF has formed a manufacturing partnership with five other local companies.
Over the next couple of months, India will produce at least 50 million doses of Sputnik V per month. By the summer, or by the end of summer, we plan to produce 50 million doses or more of Sputnik V per month in India. Several tie-ups will be announced soon; probably within two weeks; with several Indian companies who will manufacture Sputnik V in mass quantities.” Dmitriev said earlier.
India’s First Dose of Sputnik V Vaccine
Hyderabad became the first city in India to administer the Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 on Friday. The vaccine is being sold at a maximum retail price of ₹995 per dose.
“As part of a limited pilot, the first dose was administered to patients in Hyderabad,” said Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, the marketing partner for the Russian vaccine, which received a consignment of 1.50 lakh doses earlier this month.
On Thursday, the Central Drugs Laboratory in Kasauli cleared the imported doses for use. Indian Drugs Controller General last month accredits Sputnik V for emergency use. Covishield joins the indigenous Covaxin in an immunization program hamstrung in recent weeks by a shortage of vaccines.
First doses of Sputnik V administered in India. Deepak Sapra, Global Head of Custom Pharma Services at Dr Reddy’s Laboratories receives the first jab of the vaccine in Hyderabad: Sputnik V#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/95eOT6gGWR
— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2021
The cost of the Sputnik V vaccine in India
Senior management at Dr. Reddy’s announced that the vaccine will supply to both government and private sectors at the same price -₹948 plus 5% GST. There would also be hospital administration charges for consumers. Considering that the vaccine must be stored at minus 18 degrees C and the lack of cold chain infrastructure in India, the company has announced that it will begin with metros and Tier 1 cities before spreading out to the rest of the country.
Leading up to the launch, the company’s leadership stated the cost of importing Sputnik V. This includes a two-dose vaccine. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) would price it at ₹10 per dose in India, as it did in other global markets.
G.V. Prasad, Chairman, and Managing Director said, “We are prioritizing our efforts to launch the Sputnik V vaccine across India.” Dr. Reddy was also in discussion with a few State governments about vaccine distribution.
Based on the import, logistics, and distribution costs of the vaccine. Moreover, it may decline once the domestic production of Sputnik begins. RDIF, which is funding the vaccine developed by Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology in India, has partnered with six firms to manufacture an estimated 850 million doses of Sputnik V. In July, expected that a vaccine made in India will be available.
A Plan for the Future
In the next 8-12 months, Dr. Reddy plans to vaccinate 125 million people. About 15-20% of the requirements for this plan will come from Russia. In a week or so, the next shipment of Sputnik V should arrive. Over the next two months, 36 million doses expects to be available. India is planning to introduce the single-dose Sputnik Light.
Also Read: All about Covid-19 Vaccine Registration in India for above 18 years
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