Russia plans ‘light’ version of Sputnik V vaccine to deal with shortages

The Russian Sovereign Fund (RDIF), which financed the development of vacuna Sputnik V, is now contributing to clinical trials of a vaccine “Light” less efficient than the first, and instead of two administrations only requires one.

With the vaccine Sputnik V can be obtained 90% effective against coronavirus, Russian officials say, the efficiency in the case of the “light” version is less and can reach 85% in some cases, and less in others, had argued Kirill Dmitriev, president of the RDIF.

This vaccine “This could become an effective temporary solution for several countries which have reached a peak of the disease … and are trying to save as many lives as possible.”noted the senior Russian official.

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However, for the Russian market, Sputnik V in two doses will remain the main vaccine used as part of a vast vaccination campaign launched in December by the authorities, according to the RDIF.

Last August, Russia was the first country in the world to authorize a vaccine against the coronavirus, drawing widespread international criticism as a premature announcement, ahead of phase 3 testing and the publication of scientific results. Sputnik V has been authorized on their territory by other countries, including Belarus, Argentina, Algeria, Bolivia and Serbia, the RDIF said.

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For their part, The Palestinian authorities have also given their authorization to administer this vaccine to their population., the RDIF welcomed Monday in a separate statement, specifying that the first doses could be delivered within a month.

“We are pleased that Sputnik V is now present not only in Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America, but also in the Middle East,” said Dmitriev.

Around 1.5 million people worldwide have been vaccinated with Sputnik V to date, according to RDIF. In Argentina, up to January 8, some 107,000 people received the first dose while the government plans to delay the massive application of the second in order to increase the number of vaccinated.

HV / DS