Centre approves use of Sputnik V vaccine

NEW DELHI: India granted emergency use approval to Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine which has shown over 91% efficacy in treating the disease, making it the third such shot approved by the nation as it races to contain an escalating health crisis amid a record daily surge in infections.

A committee under India’s drug regulator reviewed and approved the emergency-use application of Sputnik V vaccine on Monday based on its strong immunogenicity data. The Drugs Controller General of India will be formally approving the vaccine under emergency-use based on the expert panel recommendation.

If approved, it will be the third Covid-19 vaccine to be available in India. The country has already approved the use of Covaxin, an indigenous vaccine co-developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and Covishield, the Oxford University-AstraZeneca vaccine.