One-shot Sputnik Light all set for rollout in Sept

One-shot Sputnik Light all set for rollout in Sept

Mumbai:13.08.2021

India’s immunisation plan against Covid-19 may get a shot in the arm soon with the rollout of Russian singledose vaccine Sputnik Light, which will be locally manufactured in September, reports Rupali Mukherjee.

Panacea Biotec, which had earlier partnered Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), has submitted the dossier for seeking emergency-use authorisation to India’s drug regulator recently, sources told TOI. The vaccine is expected to be priced around ₹750. Shortage in supply of the two-dose Sputnik V could be resolved as early as the month-end, with Dr Reddy’s, RDIF’s exclusive distribution partner for India, ramping up supplies, sources added.

Around 5L doses of imported Sputnik vax could be rolled out in India soon

The full rollout of the Sputnik V vaccine was put on hold and is hence lagging, as its imports from Russia were impacted in June. Around five lakh doses of Sputnik V’s component 2 vaccine, which have been imported, could be rolled out in India soon.

“We are also working closely with our partners in India for manufacturing readiness. We expect that locally manufactured doses are likely to be available from the September-October period”, a Dr Reddy’s spokesperson said.

Sputnik Light, developed by Russia’s Gamaleya Institute and backed by RDIF, received emergency use authorisation in Russia in May. It is perceived by experts as more ‘suitable’, given the task of vaccinating a large population even as a possible third wave looms. The Sputnik Light jab has demonstrated nearly 80% efficacy, according to analysed data taken 28 days after the injection was administered in a trial in Russia, an RDIF statement said.