New Delhi, April 30: The first dose of Sputnik V vaccine can be administered as the precaution dose to all those vaccinated with the Russian COVID-19 jab, an NTAGI panel has recommended, official sources told PTI on Saturday.

The two doses of Sputnik V vaccine have separate compositions. Currently, there is no policy decision on providing a precaution dose to those inoculated with the Russian vaccine. The CoWIN portal does not show the option of precaution dose for Sputnik V.

Many Sputnik V recipients who had taken their second dose way back in July last year are unable to get the booster shot. The two doses of Sputnik V are administered at a gap of 21-30 days. The first dose of the vaccine contains a recombinant adenovirus type 26 (rAd26-S) and the second dose a recombinant adenovirus 5 (rAd5-S), an official explained.

"The NTAGI's Standing Technical Sub-Committee (STSC) which held its meeting on Friday discussed the issue and recommended that Sputnik Light which has the same component of Sputnik V's first dose will be given as the precaution dose," a official source told PTI. COVID-19 Vaccine Update: Over 60% of Youngsters Between 12-14 Age Group Received 1st Dose of Coronavirus Vaccine, Says Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) is an advisory committee comprising multidisciplinary experts responsible for providing information and recommendations to government for making evidence-based decisions regarding vaccine and immunisation policy.

The Union Health Ministry is learnt to have received several representations over the precaution dose of Sputnik V. According to sources, more than six lakh people have received the Russian vaccine.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)