Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine has helped India reach a milestone of one bln administered jabs, Amulya Panda, Assistant Manager at the Panacea Biotec company, which was the first to launch the domestically made Sputnik V vaccine on the Indian market, told TASS.
“It is a very well-designed vaccine so we get very good immunity,” he pointed out. Panda emphasized that several Indian companies planned to produce the Russian vaccine but Panacea Biotec was the first to launch it on the domestic market.
“We plan that in a couple of months, our capacity will be ten million per month,” Panda added.
According to him, the company also intends to launch the production of Russia’s Sputnik Light single-dose jab. The vaccine has not yet been authorized for use in India but the company expects a decision on its approval in the near future, Panda said.
According to the Indian authorities, over one bln vaccine doses have been administered in the country.
About 30% of adults have been fully vaccinated and over 70% have received their first jab.
The Indian government is determined to vaccinate all 944 mln adults by the end of the year.
India is currently using three vaccines, including Covishield developed by the British-Swedish company AstraZeneca and produced by India’s Serum Institute, Covaxin produced by India’s Bharat Biotech and Russia’s Sputnik V.
Two US vaccines, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, have recently also been approved for emergency use in the country.
Source: TASS