Hyderabad: Hyderabad's Apollo Hospitals have begun to administer Sputnik V, a Russian vaccine against COVID-19, as part of a limited pilot program rolled out by Dr Reddy's Laboratories on May 18.
Additionally, the vaccine is also available in Hyderabad at Continental Hospitals, according to Sauri Gudlavalleti, global head of the IPDO at Dr Reddy's.
The vaccinations will follow the government's Standard Operating Procedures that include registration on CoWIN. Doctor Reddy's will supply the 1.5 lakh doses of Sputnik V vaccine for the pilot program.
"This pilot phase will allow Dr Reddy's and Apollo to test the arrangements and cold chain logistics and prepare for the launch.
On May 14, Dr Reddy's announced the rollout of Sputnik V in India, targeting 35 cities mainly metros and tier I locations. The recommended retail price of two doses of the vaccine is Rs 995, including a 5% GST.
Contrary to the other two vaccines Covaxin and Covishield, which have been approved and administered in the country since mid-January, Sputnik V uses separate vectors for each shot. It requires special handling and logistical facilities because it must be stored at - 18 degrees C. There are a few extra requirements for Sputnik in regards to cold chain management.
"Once we are able to demonstrate [the handling, it] will pave the way for many more vaccines to be imported into the country," said Dr Prasad as per The Hindu.
On May 14, Dr Reddy's had announced the launch of Sputnik following regulatory clearance for the first shipment of the vaccine from Russia arriving to Hyderabad on May 1. Another consignment of 60,000 doses of the second vaccine component arrived on May 16.
"We are also in discussions with corporates to undertake vaccination on their premises. We are currently administering Covid vaccine at 60 locations across the country including Apollo Hospitals, Apollo Spectra Hospitals and Apollo Clinics," Prasad said.
Source: Times of India
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