Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, on May 31, said that Sputnik V, the Russian Covid-19 vaccine, will soon be available in the national capital. The CM has confirmed that the vaccine makers will be able to send a consignment to Delhi after June 20.
“We have been assured that after June 20, the national capital will get some doses by the makers,” said CM Arvind Kejriwal during a press meet.
“Sputnik vaccine is not being produced domestically yet. They are now only importing the vaccine and will start manufacturing in August, and Delhi will get a tranche of the doses imported from Russia.”
As of May 30, Delhi has inoculated as many as 53,42,386 people. The capital has been facing an acute shortage of vaccine doses and has suspended the vaccination programme for the age group of 18-44 years.
CM Kejriwal assured that certain problems related to the online portal disrupting the Covid- 19 vaccination drive would be fixed soon. The state government will also work on feedback given by the public.
Urging the central government, CM Kejriwal appealed to work with states to fight the coronavirus pandemic collaboratively.
“This is not the time to fight with states. Instead, it is time to help them and fight Covid,” Kejriwal stated. “I appeal to Centre to unite with states and fight Covid as team India.”
The Delhi CM yesterday initiated a free vaccination facility for journalists and their family members. Kejriwal said, “We have started this facility to vaccinate journalists and their family members for both 45 plus and 18 to 44 years of age groups.”
The Russian vaccine, Sputnik V, which is being imported by Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and would be manufactured domestically by the pharmaceutical major in the coming months, got approval from the SEC (Subject Expert Committee) for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). Sputnik V is the third coronavirus vaccine that gets clearance in India.
India is the 60th country to authorize the Russian vaccine’s use against Covid-19. Sputnik V is now approved in countries with the world’s 40% of the population.
