Dr Reddy's Laboratories on 12 July clarified that the soft launch of COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V has not been put on hold.

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"Neither the ongoing soft commercial launch nor work towards its ramp-up in India have been put on hold," the Hyderabad-based company said in a statement. The pharma major stated that the nationwide soft launch of the Russian vaccine has reached over 50 cities and towns across India. It said it will strengthen the commercial roll-out of Sputnik V in the coming weeks. Starting initially in Hyderabad on 12 July, the soft launch roll-out of Sputnik V has scaled up speedily and reached cities and towns all over India. Dr Reddy's gave a list of cities and towns.

Dr Reddy's has partnered with major hospitals across the country for this purpose, all of whom have successfully administered Sputnik V in India, including ongoing commercial roll-out to the public, it added. Dr Reddy's clarification came amid reports that Sputnik V second dose shortage will delay the commercial roll-out. Under the soft launch, the company has reportedly administered more than 1.95 lakh doses at hospitals across the country. The company, which was originally planning a full roll-out in mid-June, is reported to have so far received about 30 lakh first doses and 3.60 lakh second doses.