Russia launched Covid-19 Vaccine ‘Sputnik-V’: Here’s everything you need to know

Team Udayavani, Aug 14, 2020, 12:36 PM IST

Russia became the first country to grant regulatory approval to a Covid-19 vaccine, dubbed “Sputnik V” Chief researcher Elena Smolyarchuk, who heads the Center for Clinical Research on Medications at Sechenov University said that the human trials for the vaccine have been completed at the university and they will be discharged soon

Russian President Putin’s daughter has already been given the jab of Russia’s Covid-19 vaccine. According to ET, Russia’s trials allowed for the civil use and inoculation of the vaccine while simultaneously conducting late-stage trials. Epidemiologists and medical experts, including the WHO believe that such a move can put people at risk.

How will the vaccine work?

Based on the DNA of a SARS-CoV-2 type adenovirus, it uses the weakened virus to deliver small parts of pathogen and stimulate and immune response. The vaccine would be administered in two shots, 21 days apart

Clinical trial

The Quint reports state that clinical trials of the vaccine began on 18 June with 38 volunteers who developed immunity. Another trial was started on 20 July. The trials were conducted at 7 sites across the country.

Who will receive the vaccine first?

Reports suggests that doctors and teachers would be among the first groups to vaccinated. Also, Russia’s elite has been given the experimental  vaccine. Russia has received several foreign requests for 1 billion doses.

Kirill Dmitriev, head of the RIFF said that more than 20 countries have shown interest in the Russia’s vaccine.

Production of the vaccine

Sources claim that Russia’s first potential vaccine will be approved by regulators this month and production is all set to begin September. Also, reports suggest that on 1 August, Health Minister Murashko said that Russian plans on starting a mass vaccination campaign against the novel coronavirus in October.

Skepticism about the Russian Vaccine?

However, World Health Organisation (WHO) has said they don’t have enough information about the Russian vaccine to evaluate its potency against Covid-19 pandemic. According to Indian Express, AIIMS director Randeep Guleria said, “We will have to see critically whether it is safe and effective. There should not be any side effects of the vaccine and it should provide good immunity and protection. India has the capacity for mass production of vaccine.”