First batch of Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V arrives in India

NEW DELHI - India Saturday received the first shipment of Russian COVID-19 vaccine -- Sputnik V, officials said.

"Sputnik-V vaccine arrives in Hyderabad from Russia! Will add to India's arsenal to fight the pandemic. This third option will augment our vaccine capacity and accelerate our vaccination drive," India's foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in a brief statement said.

He also shared pictures of the shipment taken at the airport.

"This is the first consignment of 150,000 doses of Sputnik-V vaccine with millions of doses to follow," Bagchi said.

Reports said the vaccines will be delivered to Dr Reddy's Laboratories in Hyderabad, which has joined hands with Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to produce Sputnik V in India.

Meanwhile, Dr Reddy's said the rollout of Sputnik V will be subject to necessary clearances.

Sputnik V will be the third COVID-19 vaccine in India after Covaxin and Covishield.

The vaccine comes at a time when the second wave of COVID-19 has wreaked havoc in India and daily new cases are making new records with each passing day.

Federal health ministry Saturday morning said 401,993 new COVID-19 cases and 3,523 related deaths were registered in the past 24 hours across the country.