India’s drug regulator has approved Russian-made coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V because the country is struggling with a second wave.
Sputnik V is the third coronavirus vaccine to be approved for emergency use after Covishield, developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, and the Indian firm Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin.
The decision was taken by the Drug Control General of India after a subject committee of the Central Medicine Standards Organization discussed various critical areas, including safety, immunogenicity, efficacy data from overseas clinical trials, indication, age group, dosage schedule, precautions, preservation, warnings, adverse effects of special importance, evaluation of risk benefits … “, the Indian Ministry of Health said in a statement on Tuesday.
Sputnik V, approved for use in 60 countries around the world, is manufactured in India by the company, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories.
In September, the pharmaceutical company partnered with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to conduct clinical trials with Sputnik V and distribute the vaccine in India, according to a press release issued by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories.
‘We are very pleased to obtain the emergency use authorization for Sputnik V in India. With the increasing cases in India, vaccination is the most effective tool in our fight against COVID-19. This will enable us to contribute to the efforts of our country to vaccinate a significant part of our population, ”says GV Prasad, co-chair and managing director of Dr Reddy’s laboratories.
The bigger picture: India reported 161,736 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, a slight drop after six consecutive days of record rises one day, according to a CNN figure from Ministry of Health figures.
The country has a total of 13 689 453 matters, which include 171 058 deaths and 1 264 698 active cases.
A sum total of 108,533,085 vaccine doses have so far been administered to health and frontline workers and people 45 years and older.
Several states have announced stricter restrictions to limit the spread of coronavirus. The northern state of Haryana on Monday announced a curfew rule that will take effect immediately from 9pm to 5am until further notice.
The capital area of Delhi, which reported 11,491 cases on Monday, is preparing for an increase in cases.
The state government stated that 14 private hospitals in the capital were being made into ‘complete’ COVID-19 ‘hospitals and asked them not to admit patients other than those infected with coronavirus. Nineteen private hospitals were ordered to book at least 80% of their ICU beds for Covid patients, while a further 82 private hospitals were asked to book 60% of their ICU beds for coronavirus patients, according to an order that was tweeted by Delhi Health Minister Satyendar. Jain.