The first validation samples taken from the batch will be shipped to the Gamaleya Center in Russia for quality control checks, the fund and the company said in a joint statement.

After successfully containing the virus for much of the pandemic, Vietnam is facing its worst outbreak, with a surge in daily infections to record levels adding to pressure on the government to shore up supplies and accelerate inoculations.

The Ministry of Health reported 5,357 new infections on Wednesday, up from 4,795 cases on Tuesday. The country has recorded 68,177 infections and 370 deaths overall.

A vabiotech executive told Vietnam’s state media on Wednesday that the quality check result of the batch of 30,000 doses would be available within 30 days.

Vietnam’s health minister Nguyen Thanh Long said last month Vabiotech would begin packing Russian vaccines from July, with a monthly of five million doses.

The license is a necessary condition for using Sputnik V produced by Panacea Biotech in India.

The batches produced at Panacea’s Biotec’s facilities at Baddi, Himachal Pradesh were earlier shipped to the Gamaleya Center in Russia for quality control.

The said batches have successfully passed all the checks for quality parameters both at the Gamaleya Center in Russia and at the Central Drug Laboratory, Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh in India.

“Panacea Biotec is delighted to announce the obtaining of the manufacturing license to produce Sputnik V vaccine in India. At this occasion, we thank the leadership of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Modi ji and Government of India for timely handholding and expending clearances to enable ‘Make in India’ vaccines,” said Dr. Rajesh Jain, Managing Director, for Panacea Biotec.

At 11.56 hrs, Panacea Biotech was quoting at Rs 399.10, up to Rs 21.70, or 5.75 per cent on the BSE.

The share touched at a 52 week high of Rs 453.70 and a 52 week low of Rs 171 on 28 May, 2021 and 04 November, 2020, respectively.

Currently, it is trading 12.03 percent below its 52 week high and 133.39 percent above its 22-week low.

The statement comes on the same day when the Centre began a free COVID-19 vaccination policy in the country, under which the Centre will provide free COVID-19 vaccine to all citizens above 18 years of age.

Union Home Minister, while addressing the media, also stated that it is important to receive both doses of vaccine and urged all the citizens to come forward to get vaccinated to protect themselves from the coronavirus infection.

Shah addressed the media during his visit to the COVID care centre at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Centre in Ahemdabad today and said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a new chapter is starting from today in the battle against COVID-19, across the country. The PM had made an important decision that from June 21 people who are 18 years of age and above will be vaccinated free of cost by the Central Government and the process of vaccination will be sped up.”

“In a densely populated country like India, vaccinating all above 18 years of age free of cost is a big decision in itself and it has started on the occasion of Yoga Day. I am hopeful that this will not only help all the citizens but succeed in fighting this battle against COVID-19,” said the Union Home Minister.

He further said, “Among all the vaccination drives going on around the world, India was already ranked at the top in vaccination per 10 lakh people. And now, we will nearly reach our aim of vaccinating all the citizens. The Government of India has made arrangements to speed up the process of vaccination in July and August.”

“I believe that the Government of India`s decision of shielding every citizen against COVID-19 will bring relief to every citizen. I urge all the citizens of the country to get vaccinated,” said Shah.

He added, “Those who have already received the first dose of the vaccine and as per government guidelines their time duration between the two doses is over, they should also get their second dose. Only after receiving two doses, we will get complete protection against the virus.”

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister, accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, also inaugurated the Vaishno Devi bridge and Gandhinagar Khodiyar bridge.