Hyderabad: Apollo Hospital and Dr Reddy’s Laboratories on Monday launched Sputnik V Vaccine and a pilot programme of the vaccination drive simultaneously at Apollo Hospitals here and in Visakhapatnam of Andhra Pradesh.
Apart from Covaxin and Covishield, the Centre has allowed to emergence use of Sputnik V vaccine in India.
The pilot programme of vaccination drive was launched by Dr K Hari Prasad, President Hospitals Division, Apollo Hospitals Group and Mr M V Ramana, CEO, Branded Markets, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories by administering Sputnik V vaccine to Mr Ashok of Dr Reddy’s Laboratories.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Ramana said there was huge demand for Sputnik V vaccine. The first dose was launched today. On a Pilot programme 50,000 people would be vaccinated, he added.
He said that 63 countries have given their consent for the Sputnik V vaccine.
It may be noted that Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) had tied up to produce and distribute Sputnik V vaccine in India.