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Russia Authorizes Single-Dose Version Of Its Sputnik Covid-19 Vaccine

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This article is more than 2 years old.
Updated May 6, 2021, 11:03am EDT

Topline

Russian health regulators on Thursday approved a single-dose version of the Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine called Sputnik Light, the shot’s developers announced on Thursday, a move that could make the shot quicker and easier to roll out compared to the country’s existing two-dose vaccines.

Key Facts

In a press release, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF)—which helped fund the development of the Sputnik shot—claims Sputnik Light has “demonstrated 79.4% efficacy” 28 days after the injection was administered.

This is lower than the two-dose Sputnik-V variant which has shown to be 92% effective in preventing symptomatic Covid-19 in recipients.

The RDIF, however, notes that the near 80% efficacy displayed by the single-dose jab is “higher than that of many two-dose vaccines.”

The statement notes that the single-dose regimen was developed to allow faster immunization in large populations, but adds that the two-dose Sputnik V “remains the main vaccination tool.”

Big Number

20 million. That’s the total number of people who have received at least one dose of the Sputnik vaccine so far, the press release said. The vaccine has been approved for use in 60 countries.

Surprising Fact

Unlike the other two dose Covid-19 vaccines, Sputnik V is designed around using two slightly different doses. This reportedly allows the shots to general a more robust immune response compared to two similar doses. The Sputnik Light dose only uses the first component of the Sputnik V vaccine, which could explain the lower efficacy. 

Key Background

Russia approved its first vaccine, the Sputnik V, back in August even before large-scale trials had been completed. The hasty approval led to concerns from scientists, however, analysis of Phase 3 trials have since shown it to be safe and 92% effective in preventing Covid-19. The shots have not yet been approved by either the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the European Medicines Agency and there have been some concerns that Russia is using the exports of the shot to expand its soft power influence. Another Russian vaccine EpiVacCorona was approved in October last year and CoviVac was approved in February, however, details about their effectiveness are very sparse. Rospotrebnadzor, which overlooks ‘human wellbeing’ and is part of the Russian health ministry, claims EpiVacCorona has an efficacy of 100%, but unlike Sputnik V this is not backed by any published trial data.

Further Reading

Kremlin Won’t Disclose Which Covid-19 Vaccine Putin Will Receive (Forbes)

Russia authorises single-dose Sputnik Light COVID vaccine for use (Reuters)

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