Russia's Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine gets expert panel nod for emergency use in India

India is set to get a third COVID-19 vaccine to aid in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic after the Russian vaccine Sputnik V has been approved for emergency use by an expert panel of India's central drug authority, according to several media reports.The Subject Expert Committer (SEC) has recommended that the vaccine be allowed for use in India with certain conditions, sources told PTI.Now, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) will take the final call.This comes as India hit a new coronavirus infection record with 1,68,912 new cases, the highest single-day rise so far, taking the total tally of cases to 1,35,27,717, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.The national COVID-19 recovery rate fell below 90 percent.Currently, only two vaccines are being used in India: Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and Serum Institute's Covishield.As India continues to grapple with a second, more potent wave of coronavirus pandemic, the country's vaccination plan hit another roadblock as at least six states have complained of a shortage of vaccine doses with many centres being forced to temporarily shut down.According to a report by MoneyControl, a Dr Reddy spokesperson confirmed the news.The Indian pharma giant and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) partnered up to conduct clinical trials for the vaccine in September. Dr Reddy's will also take on the distribution of some 100 million doses of the vaccine in India.The Russian vaccine has an efficacy of 91.6 percent and is conducting Phase III clinical trials in the UAE, India, Venezuela and Belarus, according to the Sputnik-V’s website.According to a report by The Statesman, Russia's RDIF has also tied up with Virchow Biotech Private Limited to produce up to 200 million doses per year of the COVID-19 vaccine in India. Stelis Biopharma Pvt Ltd and Panacea Biotec also signed on with RDIF to produce 200 million and 100 million doses per year respectively.