As the number of COVID-19 cases rise, more than six lakh individuals who had opted for the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine will soon have the option of taking a booster dose.

Earlier this year, India had begun inoculating its adult population with a third dose of vaccine. This has been limited to those who had opted for Covaxin and Covishield.

Also read: After Boris Johnson, UK opposition leader Keir Starmer under police investigation for breaking lockdown rule

Presently, there is no option for those vaccinated with the two-dose Sputnik V regime to obtain a third jab.

Hindustan Times reported that the Centre has now approved the use of Sputnik Light as a third ‘precautionary’ vaccination and it will soon become available at private vaccination centres.

Also read: Shanghai’s COVID outbreak ‘under effective control’, Beijing follows

The development comes about a week after the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation recommended that the Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik Light which contains the same ingredients as the first dose of Sputnik V, can be taken as a precaution.

However, there is no clear timeframe available at this time. While reports quoting officials suggested that discussions were underway to iron out details, it could be a few weeks yet before the third dose became available.

Also read: Rahul Gandhi accuses PM Modi of ‘lying’ over WHO’s Covid-19 deaths’ report

In February this year, Sputnik Light had also received the Emergency Use Authorization from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). The two doses of Sputnik V are administered at a gap of 21-30 days and have different compositions. The booster ‘light’ jab however is the same as the first dose of the regular edition.

As the third dose remained elusive, the Union health ministry is learnt to have received several representations over Sputnik V.

Also read: Mortality combat: Why WHO and India disagree on COVID death data

Earlier this week, the Supreme Court had asked the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Ministry to decide on the representation of a person seeking modification of COVID-19 policy to allow voluntary re-vaccination of persons who have received the Sputnik-V vaccine and wished to travel abroad.