NEW DELHI: Russia has released the first batch of COVID-19 vaccine, known as Sputnik V, into civil circulation and the supplies of the medication to the Russian regions are expected soon, according to the Russian Health Ministry.

As per a report published in Russian news agency, TASS, the Russian Health Ministry has informed that the first batch of the vaccine for preventing the novel coronavirus infection, Gam-COVID-Vac (Sputnik V) developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry passed the required quality tests in the laboratories of Roszdravnadzor and was produced for civilian circulation. In the near future the supplies of the first batches of the vaccine to the regions are expected," the report added.

On August 11, Russia had become the first country across the globe to register a vaccine against the coronavirus infection, named Sputnik V. The vaccine underwent clinical trials in June-July. It is based on a well-known platform, which was used of creating a range of other vaccines. 

Russia is also in dialogue with the Indian government and the leading drug manufacturers of India regarding the localization of production of the Sputnik V vaccine in India.

According to Russian researchers, Sputnik V is a human adenoviral vector vaccine that fights against coronavirus disease.

Pertinent to mention that over 27.4 million people have been affected worldwide by the invisible virus and more than 8.93 lakh people have died due to the disease.