Sputnik V vaccine soon at SHRI
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 02 2021: Russia's Sputnik V vaccine will be available in Manipur at Shija Hospitals & Research Institute (SHRI), Health Village Langol in a week's time.

In a statement, SHRI said that eligible individuals can walk into the hospital or call 8448645646 to book for the jab.

The vaccine is currently authorized for active immunization to prevent COVID-19 among individuals who are 18 years and above.

The Sputnik V is the latest addition to the two other vaccines that India is currently using to battle COVID-19 pandemic.

The manufacturer of the vaccine claims that it is the first coronavirus vaccine to use a heterogeneous boosting approach based on two different vectors for two vaccine shots, SHRI said and asserted that this approach generates a more sustainable immunity compared to vaccines that use the same delivery mechanism for both shots.

Saying that the vaccine will deliver SARS-CoV-2 gene into cells once administered, the SHRI maintained that these cells then use the gene to produce the spike protein.

The immune system of the person will treat this spike protein as foreign and produce natural defences (antibodies and T-cells) against this protein, it said and added that the vaccinated person, in case he or she comes into contact with SARS-CoV-2, the immune system will recognize the spike protein on the virus and be prepared to fight it.

The antibodies and T-Cells of the body work together to kill the virus and destroy the infected cells.

It further prevents its entry into other cells in the body, thus protecting the person against COVID-19, the statement continued.

It also maintained that a peer-reviewed article published in 'The Lancet' (Feb, 2021) considers Sputnik V safe for mass inoculation and has shown 91.6% efficacy against COVID-19.As Manipur ramps up its vaccination drive to stave off the potential third wave of Covid infection, SHRI has procured 1200 doses each for the first and second dose of the vaccine.

Saying that the hospital is now equipped with high-end refrigerators which are capable of maintaining minus 25 degrees Celsius temperature, the required temperature to keep the vaccine safe, SHRI said that the supply chain is being monitored by Dr Reddy's Laboratories.

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