Bengaluru: The world’s first COVID vaccine, Sputnik-V invented by Russia will be manufactured in Karnataka, said Health and Medical Education Minister Dr. K. Sudhakar.

Speaking to media here yesterday, he said talks were going on in this regard at the highest level. Once talks are finalised, the Sputnik-V vaccine will be manufactured in the State.

On delay in vaccination of people in the age group of 18 to 44 years, the Minister said that order has been placed for 2 crore doses of Covishield vaccines from Serum Institute, out of which 9.5 lakh doses have been already supplied. Those aged above 45 are being given first and second doses on priority. So far, the Government of India has provided 1,11,26,340 doses vaccine to Karnataka. The State has procured 9.50 lakh doses of Covishield vaccine and 1,44,170 doses of Covaxin. In total, 1,22,20,510 doses of vaccines have been received in the State and 1,13,61,234 doses have been administered.

“We are planning to provide vaccine to all by the end of November. Bharat Biotech also assured to provide vaccine at the earliest. Sputnik is also going to be manufactured in our State and the process will speed up in the coming days, said Dr. Sudhakar.

Good recovery rate

He said it was good news that as many as 58,395 people have recovered yesterday. With this,  16,74,487 people have recovered so far in the State. People should not get panic as the fatality is still below 1 percent, he added.