Drug firm Dr. Reddyโ€™s Laboratories on Friday said as part of a limited pilot, the soft launch of the COVID vaccine Sputnik V has commenced and the first dose of the vaccine was administered in Hyderabad.

The imported doses of the vaccine will cost Rs 995.40 per shot, said the companyโ€™s partner in India Dr. Reddyโ€™s Laboratories on Friday.

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The price includes a GST of 5% on every dose.

However, the doses of the vaccine that will be made in India are expected to be cheaper.

โ€œFurther consignments of imported doses are expected over the upcoming months. Subsequently, supply of the Sputnik V vaccine will commence from Indian manufacturing partners,โ€ said Dr. Reddyโ€™s.

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The company said it is working closely with its six manufacturing partners to fulfil regulatory requirements to ensure a smooth and timely supply.

The first dose of the vaccine was also administered in Hyderabad on Friday as part of a limited pilot and soft launch of Sputnik V in India.

The country is looking to produce 15.6 crore doses of the Russian Covid vaccine.

โ€œIts production will begin in July and it is estimated that 15.6 crore doses will be manufactured in that period,โ€ Paul said.

The first consignment of imported doses of the Sputnik V vaccine had landed in India on 1 May.