In September, India’s anti-Covid-19 vaccination campaign will be reinforced with the introduction of the single-dose Sputnik Light vaccine. Panacea Biotec, which had previously cooperated with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), has filed a dossier to India’s drug authority seeking emergency-use authorization.
The vaccine, which is thought to be in limited supply, is estimated to cost roughly Rs 750, according to The Times of India (TOI).
Until until, the only Sputnik vaccines available in India were imported and distributed by Dr Reddy’s, RDIF’s only distribution partner in India.
The Sputnik Light vaccine, produced by Russia’s Gamaleya Institute and supported by RDIF, was approved for emergency use in Russia in May. As third-wave threats loom big and vaccination appears to be the only option, experts believe the vaccine is more appropriate. According to data analysed 28 days after the injection was given in a trial in Russia, the Sputnik Light jab showed over 80% efficacy, according to an RDIF release.
Sources told TOI that supply shortages of the two-dose Sputnik V could be rectified by the end of the month, with Dr Reddy’s increasing up supplies.
The entire distribution of the Sputnik V vaccination was put on hold in June due to disrupted imports, limiting supply to the general public. However, around five lakh doses of the Sputnik V component 2 vaccine, which were imported, could be distributed in India soon.
Dr. Reddy’s spokeswoman informed TOI that the company is working closely with Indian partners to ensure production readiness, and that locally made dosages should be ready in September or October.
Panacea Biotec had received a manufacturing licence to produce the Sputnik V vaccine at its Baddi factory in Himachal Pradesh earlier in July.Both the Gamaleya Center in Russia and the Central Drug Laboratory in Kasauli successfully checked the batches generated at Baddi for quality characteristics (Himachal Pradesh).
