Aster DM Healthcare ties-up with Dr Reddy’s to administer Sputnik V vaccine for limited pilot soft launch

The partnership encompasses vaccination of beneficiaries in (Kochi) Kerala and Kolhapur (Maharashtra)

Aster DM Healthcare has partnered with Dr Reddy’s Laboratories to administer the Sputnik V vaccine as part of a limited pilot soft launch. To help bolster the vaccine implementation drive by the Government of India, Aster DM Healthcare will initially inoculate beneficiaries in (Kochi) Kerala and Kolhapur (Maharashtra) through Aster Medcity, Kochi and Aster Aadhar, Kolhapur hospitals.

At Aster, over a hundred credentialed staff have been trained at the 14 hospitals spread across the country. Beneficiary protocols have been established as per Standard Operating Procedures recommended by the government which includes registration, waiting area allocation along with patient education and awareness displays, and post-vaccination observation. Trained medical staff along with emergency care support will be stationed to administer appropriate care in case of an adverse event.

Dr Reddy’s has facilitated the necessary cold storage infrastructure for vaccine storage at the hospitals.

Speaking about the association, Dr Harish Pillai, CEO – Aster India, Aster DM Healthcare, said, “We are pleased to collaborate with Dr Reddy’s Labs to administer the Sputnik V vaccine through its pilot programme, and are certain that it will further accelerate the overall vaccination drive. We look forward to build a strong partnership with Dr Reddy’s across our network of hospitals to further strengthen our efforts in providing easy access and vaccinating the community.”

Commenting on the alliance, MV Ramana, CEO – Branded Markets (India and Emerging Markets), Dr Reddy’s, said, “We are pleased to collaborate with Aster DM Healthcare in Kochi and Kolhapur as we scale up our soft pilot launch of the Sputnik V vaccine in India to more cities ahead of its commercial launch. In the upcoming months, we hope to inoculate as many Indians as possible.”