The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has granted license to the Serum Institute of India to manufacture Russia-based Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik V. The license means that the company can develop and manufacture the vaccine for testing but can’t sell it. Mr Adar Poonawalla’s company based in Pune will test, analyse and then manufacture the vaccine.
“We have got preliminary approval for Sputnik V. But actual manufacturing will take several months. In the meantime, our focus remains Covishield and Covovax,” SII’s spokesperson told media.
At a launch of Sputnik V by Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, the first dose of the vaccine was administered in Hyderabad on May 14.
The Russian vaccine has been approved by more than 65 countries so far, but is yet to be approved by US or EU health authorities.
Sputnik V having 91.6% efficacy is higher than both the vaccines that are currently being administered in India — SII’s Covidshield and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin.
This Russian vaccine will be the first single-dose vaccine that will be administered in India after its launch.
A single dose of imported Sputnik V costs ₹ 995.40 in India.
