Ministry Of Health Confirms Being In Touch With Russia Over Sputnik V COVID-19 Vaccine

Health Ministry has confirmed that India is in conversation with Russia over the COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V which was earlier launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Reuters

"As far as Sputnik V vaccine is concerned, India and Russia are in communication. Some initial information has been shared," said said Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Union Health Ministry.

Russia had recently registered "world's first COVID-19 vaccine" and is now in the phase III trial of the vaccine, which involved more than 40,000 people at more than 45 medical centres around Russia, the TASS news agency reported earlier.

Kirill Dmitriev/Reuters

The RIA news agency cited Russian Industry Minister Denis Manturov as saying that Russia is planning to produce between 1.5 million and 2 million doses per month of its potential coronavirus vaccine by the year end, adding that the country will gradually ramp up its production to six million doses a month.

Sputnik V, an adenovirus vector-based vaccine, was developed by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology & Microbiology along with Russian Direct Investment Fund&was registered on Aug 11.Talks are underway between India & Russia for collaboration on the vaccine. pic.twitter.com/DFY2Liitjc

¡ª IANS Tweets (@ians_india) August 25, 2020

Earlier, reports stated that Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund that is funding the Russian coronavirus vaccine programme, is now keen on producing their candidate Sputnik V in India.

Dmitriev told India Today that India has the manufacturing capability to mass produce the COVID vaccine and hence Russia is interested in bringing India on board as a production partner.

Dmitriev said several nations are interested in the production of the vaccine from countries in Latin America, Asia and the Middle East.

"The production of the vaccine is a very important issue. Currently, we are looking for a partnership with India. We believe that they are capable of producing the Gamaleya vaccine and it is very important to say that those partnerships to produce the vaccine will enable us to cover the demand that we have," he said.

Also Read: Amid Fear Of Moving Too Fast, Russia Produces First Batch Of COVID-19 Vaccine Sputnik V

Dubbed as Sputnik V, the vaccine is developed by Gamaleya Research Institute and the Russian defence ministry. Russia registered the vaccine after less than two months of human testing. The results of initial trials have not been made public yet.

Disclaimer: While there have been several different types of treatments being given to COVID-19 patients across the world, there isn¡¯t any one drug that has worked as a sure-shot treatment yet. Don¡¯t self medicate/stock up and always consult your doctor/medical health professional.