Russian Vaccine Sputnik V proves to be 91.6% effective in phase 3 trials
Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine was 91.6% effective in preventing people from developing Covid-19, according to peer-reviewed results from its late-stage clinical trial published in an international medical journal on Tuesday.
Scientists said the Phase III trial results meant the world had another effective weapon to fight the deadly pandemic and justified to some extent Moscow’s decision to roll out the vaccine before final data had been released.
Several countries around the world have already registered Sputnik V, according to the Russian Direct Investment Fund which helped develop the vaccine, including Belarus, Venezuela, Bolivia and Algeria.
Sputnik V, named after the Soviet-era satellite was given approval in Russia months before results from its final-stage clinical trials were published, leading to doubts from experts.
About 20,000 participants participated in the phase-III trials, carried out at 25 hospitals and polyclinics in Moscow, Russia, with 75 per cent of them receiving the two-dose vaccine and 25 per cent getting placebo.
India – Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy’s Laboratories said it expects to roll out Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine in India in March via emergency use authorisation (EUA). Sputnik V is undergoing Phase-3 trials in India currently which is expected to be completed by February.
Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V will cost less than $10 (Rs 730) per shot in India and other countries. Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy’s is conducting trials of the vaccine in India and went into phase 3 trials earlier in January.
