India has authorized the Sputnik V shot. Russia says this mean its COVID-19 vaccine is now approved for 40% of the world's population.

• India has authorized Russia's Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine for use on its population.
• Russia says this means the vaccine has been approved for use in 40% of the world's population.
• India is currently battling record cases of the coronavirus.

India has authorized Russia's Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine.

The news was confirmed by the $4 (RDIF), which is responsible for marketing the vaccine abroad, announced that India approved the vaccine for use.

The RDIF says this means that Sputnik V is now authorized for use for 3 billion people, or 40% of the world's population. India's population is the second largest in the world, with about 1.4 billion people.

India is already using two vaccines: the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine and another made by Indian firm Bharat Biotech.

Interim $4 of phase-3 data published in The Lancet in February found that Russia's vaccine is 91.6% effective. Russia has been giving it to its population since December.

India's coronavirus cases have been reaching record highs - the country has recorded $4 since April 7 - and the country is looking to increase its vaccination rate as it battles the surge.