Private hospital chains Fortis Healthcare and Apollo Hospitals have began administering Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V at two of their hospitals in Delhi-NCR, officials stated on Thursday. Indraprastha Apollo in Delhi began administering Sputnik V in a staged manner from Wednesday. Around 1,000 men and women have been vaccinated so far, a hospital spokesperson stated.
“On-the-spot registration and walk-in facility for Sputnik V is currently restricted, we are encouraging beneficiaries to take appointments through the CoWin app,” the official stated.
According to a Fortis Healthcare official, the hospital chain began supplying Sputnik V jabs last week at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram and Fortis Hospital, Mohali.
“In order to accelerate the vaccination drive, we are introducing the vaccine at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur from Friday. We have received a good response and a total of 2,193 people have been vaccinated till now,” he stated. The official stated Fortis Healthcare has received fresh supplies of Sputnik V which will aid it ramp up the inoculation drive.
A hospital supply stated there had been some delay in vaccine provide and it could be linked to the improve in circumstances in Russia. The nation has began a substantial-scale vaccination drive for its population.
Fortis Healthcare had earlier announced that it will start off administering the two-dose Russian vaccine at its Gurugram and Mohali facilities from June 19. An official of Madhukar Rainbow Children’s Hospital in Delhi stated the hospital will obtain Sputnik V doses from Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, the advertising and marketing companion for the vaccine in India, in 3 to 4 days.
Sputnik V utilizes two diverse viruses that lead to the popular cold (adenovirus) in humans. The two doses, provided 21 days apart, are diverse and not interchangeable. The Centre has fixed the value of the vaccine at Rs 1,145 per dose.
The maximum value of Covishield for private COVID-19 Vaccination Centres (CVCs) has been fixed at Rs 780 per dose, whilst that of Covaxin is Rs 1,410 per dose. Russia’s Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology has created the vaccine and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) is advertising and marketing it globally. Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has been importing the shots from Russia. Over a period of time, the vaccine is also going to be manufactured in India. According to Gamaleya and the RDIF, Sputnik V has demonstrated an efficacy price of 92 per cent.