Russia Authorises Single-Dose Sputnik Light Covid-19 Vaccine With 79.4% Efficacy

Russia has gone ahead and authorised a new one-shot Sputnik Light Version of its novel coronavirus vaccine. This announcement was made by the Russian Direct Investment Fund, where it stated that this could help vaccine supplies go further in countries with high infection rates.

Reuters

Also Read: India To Make 300 Million Doses Of Sputnik-V Russian Covid-19 Vaccine In 2021

The vaccine has been made by the same institute behind the previous Sputnik V vaccine -- Gamaleya Institute. The vaccine is a lighter, more affordable version of the former Sputnik V and says has an effectiveness of 79.4 percent against the novel coronavirus. It costs under $10 per dose and has been designed specifically for exporting it to the world.

RDIF statement further stated, ¡°The single-dose Sputnik Light vaccine demonstrated 79.4% efficacy according to analysed data taken from 28 days after the injection was administered as part of Russia's mass vaccination programme between 5 December 2020 and 15 April 2021.¡±

"The single-dose regimen solves the challenge of immunizing large groups in a shorter time, which is especially important during the acute phase of the spread of coronavirus, achieving herd immunity faster," said RDIF head Kirill Dmitriev.

Also Read: No Drinking Alcohol For Two Months After Sputnik V COVID-19 Vaccine Shot

The report also highlighted that a Phase III trial of the vaccine is currently underway in the United Arab Emirates, Ghana and other nations, involving 7,000 individuals. The interim result for this trial is expected to arrive later this month.

RIFD report also highlighted that as of now, around 8 million Russians have received two doses of its first-unveiled Sputnik V, which as per Russian claims is 97.6 percent effective against SARS CoV-2. This is based on a ¡®real-world¡¯ assessment based on data from 3.8 million vaccinated individuals.

Reuters

Also Read: India Approves Sputnik V Covid-19 Vaccine, As Daily Cases Cross 170,000 Mark

India has already provided emergency use authorization for the two-shot Sputnik V vaccine with an initial batch of 150,000 doses arriving on May 1. Reports today have revealed that Russia will be sending another batch of 150,000 in the next two days.

On the other hand, another three million doses will be arriving in Hyderabad with partner Dr Reddy¡¯s Laboratories by the end of this month.