Vaccination with Sputnik V may begin in India in 10 days

Inoculation with the Russian Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus infection may begin in India in 10 days, said a high ranked official of India's Dr Reddy's Laboratories in Hyderabad.

The official also told a TASS correspondent, on the condition of anonymity, that they had earlier received the first batch of the Russian jab.

"Vaccination may begin in ten days. We are expecting a second batch from Russia," the source said. "Quality control necessary in such cases should also be performed," he added.

Earlier, it was expected that inoculation may begin on the day of delivery. However, the agency's interlocutor noted that "it is impossible to begin vaccination right away".

A batch of the Russian anti-coronavirus jab was delivered to Hyderabad's airport on Saturday sent by the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) which is in charge of the project.

Sputnik V became a third vaccine to be used in India. Until now, the country has been using only two vaccines: Covishield, developed by British-Swedish AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, as well as Covaxin by India's Bharat Biotech.

In February, India's pharmaceutical company Dr. Reddy's Laboratories applied for a permit for a limited use of Sputnik V in India. It was approved in April. This company is ready to distribute the Russian vaccine. The RDIF also concluded agreements on production of this vaccine with several companies in India.