The first dose of Sputnik V will be given as a booster dose to all who have received the Sputnik vaccine. The two doses of Sputnik V vaccine have different compositions.
More than six lakh people in India received the Sputnik V COVID Vaccine. (Photo: File)
The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) has given its approval for the first dose of the Sputnik COVID-19 vaccine to be administered as a booster dose to all people vaccinated with the Russian vaccine.
There was no policy decision on providing a precautionary dose for those vaccinated with Sputnik V vaccine. Two days ago, India Today had filed an RTI to find out what is the third dose option for Sputnik V vaccinated in India. Now NTAGI has given its approval.
The two doses of Sputnik V vaccine have different compositions. The first dose of the vaccine contains a recombinant adenovirus type 26 (rAd26-S) and the second dose is a recombinant adenovirus 5 (rAd5-S).
Many Sputnik V recipients who withdrew their second dose in July of last year are yet to get a boost.
The Center had on April 10 expanded the booster dose vaccine to all people above the age of 18 years at private immunization centres. All those who are over 18 years of age and who have completed nine months of taking the second dose are eligible to take the precautionary dose.