As several states, including Maharashtra, Delhi, Kerala, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh and some others saying they do not have sufficient COVID-19 vaccine doses for the inoculation of those in the 18-44 age group, the first lot of Sputnik V vaccines from Russia will arrive in India on May 1 (Saturday), giving a much-needed boost to the country’s mega vaccination drive.

Sputnik V vaccine, which is developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Russia, has an effectiveness of 91.6 per cent against coronavirus.

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) had given permission to Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL) to import Sputnik V vaccines in India for restricted use in emergencies.