NEW DELHI: The capital is likely to receive the first consignment of the Russian vaccine against Covid-19 — Sputnik V — next month, chief minister
Arvind Kejriwal announced on Monday.
“Sputnik will probably offer vaccines after June 20. They will start the vaccine’s production in India from the month of August. They are importing the vaccines right now, and they will allot a section of their imported vaccines to the
Delhi government
,” Kejriwal told reporters.
The Drugs Controller General of India has granted permission for restricted emergency use of Sputnik V with certain conditions. The Delhi government has been demanding that all internationally available vaccines against Covid-19 should be allowed and brought to the country to inoculate the maximum number of people possible.
On Wednesday, May 26, Kejriwal had told reporters that “the manufacturers of Sputnik V have said that they will supply the vaccine but talks are going on as the quantity is yet to be decided.” He had said that the Delhi government was still communicating with representatives from the manufacturers of Sputnik.
He had said that Delhi government’s officials had a meeting with people from Sputnik on May 25. “They are willing to give the vaccines but still, talks are going on about the quantity,” Kejriwal had told reporters on Wednesday at the launch of Delhi’s first drive-through
vaccination centre
at Vegas Mall in Dwarka.
Kejriwal had also said that “vaccine manufacturers Moderna and Pfizer have declared that the trial for their vaccines is complete and they are also suitable for children.” “But these vaccines have not been given permission to be administered in our country. I believe the Centre should not delay this and all available vaccines should be allowed to be used in our country,,” he had said.