Major progress on Russia's Sputnik V vaccine offer; specific outcome soon: NITI Aayog

Addressing media on Tuesday, NITI Aayog's Member (Health) Dr. VK Paul revealed that re has been significant progress on Russia's twin requests in connection with Sputnik V vaccine. Russian government has already proposed manufacturing its COVID-19 vaccine and conducting its phase 3 trials in India. Dr. Paul stressed that Indian government attaches great importance to this offer for partnership from Russia, which he termed as nation's "very special friend". Mentioning that several Indian companies had been approached in this regard, he exuded confidence in a specific outcome emerging very soon. 

Dr. VK Paul remarked, " vaccine developed by Russia has been under consideration of country. government of Russia approached government of India through appropriate channels and sought help on two counts. One- to consider its manufacturing through a network of companies that are well-kwn for vaccine manufacturing of right quality and size, volume, and capacity which is very best in world. So, intent was to manufacture this vaccine through Indian companies. y have done phase one and phase 2 trials. If need be, y proposed that phase 3 studies can be conducted in India. se are twin requests from ir side."

" government of India attaches great importance to this offer of partnership from a very special friend to this nation. On both tracks, re has been significant movement. outreach has been extended to several companies from India. A few of m have already come forward. re will be very specific outcomes very soon in that regard," he added.

Read: Russia's Second COVID-19 Vaccine Shows Positive Sign In Early Human Trials: Report

Read: COVID-19: Clinical Trials Of Sputnik-V To Commence In India, Or Countries This Month

What is Sputnik V vaccine? 

On August 11, Russian President Vladimir Putin anunced that his government had approved Sputnik V, first vaccine in world against COVID-19. It has reportedly been named after world's first satellite launched by Soviet Union. vaccine has been developed by Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology along with Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF).

Putin mentioned that one of his daughters had already been iculated. As vaccine has t been tested in phase 3 or larger clinical trials, re is a perception that Russia had put national prestige over safety amid global race to develop a vaccine. Recently, Russian Health Ministry confirmed that first batch of vaccine has been released for public use after clearing necessary quality tests. 

Read: 'Russia To Produce 2 Mn COVID Vaccine Doses/month, Plans To Ramp Up To 6 Mn': Reports