Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine at SHRI soon
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 02 2021:
Russia's Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine will be available at Shija Hospitals & Research Institute (SHRI), Health Village Langol in a week's time, informed SHRI manager-BD L Premjit Singh, in a release.
Sputnik V is currently authorised for active immunization to prevent Covid-19 among individuals who are 18 years and above.
It is the latest addition to the two other vaccines that India is currently using to battle COVID-19 pandemic.
Two different doses of the vaccine are administered with a gap of 21 days.
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.
It further asserts that this approach generates a more sustainable immunity compared to vaccines that use the same delivery mechanism for both shots.
Once the vaccine is administered, it delivers the SARS-Cov-2 gene into cells in the body.
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 defenses (antibodies and T-cells) against this protein, explained the SHRI release.
It also conveyed that in case the vaccinated person comes into contact with SARS-Cov-2, the immune system will recognise the spike protein on the virus and be prepared to fight against it.
The anti-bodies 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 .
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 .
India's Dr.Reddy Labs has tied up with the Russia Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) for 125 million doses of the vaccine by Russia.
As Manipur ramps up its vaccination drive to stave off the potential third wave of Covid-19 infection, SHRI has procured 1200 doses each for the first and second dose of the vaccine.
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.
The supply chain is being monitored by Dr.Reddy's Laboratories.
To book for the jab, eligible individuals can walk into the hospital or call 8448645646, the release added.