(UTV | NEW DELHI) – India has approved a new single-dose vaccine, expanding its programme amid a dip in new Covid-19 cases.
Indian Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the new vaccine – Sputnik Light – has been granted emergency use permission.
Sputnik Light is a component of the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine, which India had approved last year.
India has now approved nine vaccines, three of which have been developed in India. The country has so far given almost 1.7 billion doses.
About 76% of eligible adults have been fully vaccinated and more than 99% have received at least one jab so far.
Since 10 January, India has been administering booster shots to healthcare and frontline workers, and those above 60 with comorbidities.