The first batch of Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine, Sputnik V has arrived in Hyderabad. A number of states also launched the third phase of the nationwide vaccination drive on Saturday, inoculating those aged between 18 and 45.

According to reports, the first batch comprises 1,50,000 doses of Sputnik V. Another 30 lakh doses of the Russian made vaccine are due to arrive in India later this month. These doses will be delivered to Dr Reddy’s labortory, the Indian partner of the Russian vaccine.

CEO of Dr Reddy’s laboratory, Dipak Chapra stated that, ‘We are pleased to announce that the first consignment of 150,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine has landed in Hyderabad from Russia. The rollout of the consignment will be subject to the necessary clearances, which will be processed over the next few days.’

Russia’s Ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev twitted that, ‘As Russia and India continue dedicated joint efforts to combat the COVID19, this move is especially important to support the Indian Government’s endeavors to mitigate the deadly second wave and save lives.’

Its local production is about to start soon and is planned to be gradually increased up to 850 million doses per year, later he added.

In a tweet, the makers of the Russian vaccine said that, ‘Let’s jointly defeat this pandemic. Together we are stronger.’ According to the makers of the Russian vaccine, it can be stored at a temperate range of 2-8 degrees Celsius, the same as Covishield and Covaxin.

However, it does have a regime in which both doses of the vaccine are different from one another. Both doses of Sputnik V have to be administered 21 days apart.