Hyderabad: Russian made Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccine, Sputnik V, has been soft-launched in India, with the first dose administered in Hyderabad on Friday, announced Dr Reddy’s laboratories in a statement. The vaccine is priced at ₹995.40 per shot in the market, with a possibility of prices coming down further once local production starts. Dr Reddy’s Labs are the licensed distributors of the vaccine in India. The first consignment carrying 150,000 doses of the vaccine landed in Hyderabad on May 1. “...the first consignment of imported doses of the Sputnik V vaccine that landed in India on 1st May 2021, received regulatory clearance from the Central Drugs Laboratory, Kasauli, on 13th May 2021. As part of a limited pilot, the soft launch of the vaccine has commenced and the first dose of the vaccine was administered in Hyderabad today on 14th May 2021,” said Dr Reddy’s in a statement.

Further consignments of imported doses are expected over the coming months. Production of the vaccine locally is likely to start around July. “The imported doses of the vaccine are presently priced at an MRP of ₹948 + 5% GST per dose, with the possibility of a lower price point when local supply begins. The company is working closely with its six manufacturing partners in India to fulfil regulatory requirements to ensure smooth and timely supply,” the company statement read. Sputnik V is the third vaccine to be given Emergency Use Authorisation in India after Oxford University -AstraZeneca developed Covishield and Bharat Biotech manufactured Covaxin. India has also allowed citizens over the age of 18 years to receive Covid-19 vaccinations beginning May 1. “...the first consignment of imported doses of the Sputnik V vaccine that landed in India on 1st May 2021, received regulatory clearance from the Central Drugs Laboratory, Kasauli, on 13th May 2021. As part of a limited pilot, the soft launch of the vaccine has commenced and the first dose of the vaccine was administered in Hyderabad today on 14th May 2021,” said Dr Reddy’s in a statement.