India is about to begin production of Sputnik V vaccine from August 2021. The country will be producing 850 million doses of the vaccine in a fight against Covid-19.

It may be noted that the first dose of Russian Sputnik V vaccine was administered in Hyderabad. 2 batches of the vaccine have already reached India and 3 million doses will be supplied by May end. The Russian vaccine costs around 950 rupees and the Indian make is likely to be much cheaper.

Ambassador DB Venkatesh Varma, Indian envoy to Russia said Russia has already supplied around 2 lakh doses to India and 3 million more are expected in bulk by the end of this month. The number is expected to increase to 5 million in June.

He also said, “Sputnik will be produced in India in three phases. First, supply from Russia - fully made - which has already started. Second, RDIF will send to India in bulk. It will be ready for use but it will have to be filled in various bottles in India.”

Further talking about the Sputnik Light single shot vaccine, he said, “The Russian side has also proposed Sputnik Light. The regulatory approvals for that in India are still not completed. But once those regulatory approvals are given, Sputnik Light will be one more area of cooperation between India and Russia.”

(inputs from indiatoday)