(Image source from: reuters.com)

India is heading to top the list with the second wave of coronavirus. More than 2 lakh cases are reported in the country on a regular basis and. There is a huge shortage for vaccines after the third phase of vaccination commenced in the country. Two days after the India approved the emergency use of Sputnik V, the Indian ambassador to Russia confirmed that Sputnik V will be delivered to India in April itself. The first shipment will reach India by the end of this month confirmed Bala Venkatesh, Indian Ambassador to Russia. The Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI) approved the emergency use of Sputnik V recently. Dr Reddys who is collaborating with the Russian firm received the approval.

Sputnik V was developed byy Gamaleya Institute, Russia and National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. Sputnik V was approved in more than 30 countries of the globe. This would turn out to be a boost for the ongoing vaccination program in India as there would be more doses available in the market. Sputnik V shot can be given to all the individuals aged above 18 years. The vaccine should be given in two doses (5 ml each) within a gap of 21 days and it has to be stored at -18 degrees centigrade. Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) set a target of 50 million doses of Sputnik V to be manufactured before the completion of summer this year. As of now, Covaxin and Covishield are the vaccines that are approved and distributed in India.

By Siva Kumar