India can expect to receive doses of Sputnik V between April and June, as Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL) will begin importing the COVID-19 vaccine for use during this time.
However, the final availability of the vaccine will depend on factors like how many doses the government wishes to procure as well as the cold chain system set up to distribute them in the country.
As per DRL’s contract with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), the Hyderabad-based company is expected to receive around 250 million doses of Sputnik V, Deepak Sapra, DRL CEO — API and Services — said Wednesday.
This would be sufficient for 125 million people, but the number of doses that DRL can procure for use in India can be extended upon “mutual consent” with RDIF.
While the company continues to engage in discussions with the government over the price and procurement of Sputnik V for use in India’s immunisation campaign, it will start importing this vaccine from Russia’s sovereign wealth fund “this quarter”, he said.
Clarity over the number of doses that India will buy and the price at which they will be procured will emerge “in the next few weeks,” said Sapra.
Surjitt Sahani
