Youngsters prefer Sputnik since they are now able to travel after the recognition of the vaccine, though older people prefer Covishield and not even Covaxin.
Dr Reddy’s also announced that it has initiated supply of the first dose component of Sputnik-V vaccine to partner hospitals across the country
Many among the 83,431 who have received the Sputnik V vaccine in the state have not returned to get their second jab, which they should have received 21 days after the first dose.
The vaccine has been available only in nine hospitals in three districts. In Bengaluru, only six hospitals offer the vaccine, including Manipal, Narayana Hrudayalaya, Kauvery, NU and United. Elsewhere, Tenet Medcorp and Yenepoya hospital, Mangaluru; and BLDE University and Shri Ganpatlal Agarwal Memorial Ayush Hospital, both in Vijayapura district, offer the vaccine.
At United Hospital, 156 people who received the first dose did not return for the second though it has been more than 21 days since their first jab.
Dr Shanthakumar Muruda, executive director, United Hospital located in Jayanagar, told news portal that 3,277 people have received component one or dose one and 2,761 have received the second. While 360 people are yet to complete 21 days to get the second dose, 156 who completed 21 days are yet to return for their second dose.
“From our end, we are periodically reminding them to come for the second dose to complete their vaccination since component two is reserved for them,” he said.
The second jab of the Sputnik vaccine comprises human adenovirus serotype 5. Sputnik V uses two different vectors for the two shots of the Covid-19 vaccine.
The Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical company also announced that it has initiated supply of the first dose component of Sputnik-V vaccine to partner hospitals across the country, and those who want to be inoculated with the Russian vaccine can visit their official site to find out if it’s available in their area.
The supply of the first dose component had to be suspended owing to logistical constraints from the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), the sovereign wealth fund that partnered with Dr Reddy’s to manufacture Sputnik-V vaccines in India. Dr Reddy’s signed a pact with RDIF to sell the first 125 million people doses (250 million vials) of Sputnik V vaccine in India.
