Single-dose vaccine Sputnik Light authorised in Russia

Russia has approved a single-dose version of the Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine, its developers said Thursday.

The Sputnik Light vaccine demonstrated 79.4 per cent efficacy compared to 91.6 per cent for the two-shot Sputnik V.

The data was taken 28 days after it was administered as part of Russia’s mass vaccination program between December 5 and April 15, said the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which helped finance it.

RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev told a virtual media conference that its efficacy is higher than that of many two-dose vaccines.

Russia’s state-run Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology said Sputnik Light has proven effective against all new strains of the coronavirus. It said no serious adverse events were registered after vaccination with it.

A single dose of the vaccine costs under $10. The one-shot regimen allows for the immunization of a larger number of people in a shorter time frame, it said.

Alexander Gintsburg, Director of the Gamaleya Center, said: “Sputnik Light will help to prevent the spread of coronavirus through the faster immunization of larger population groups, as well as supporting high immunity levels in those who have already been infected previously.”

The global efficacy study of Sputnik Light was launched on February 21 by the Gamaleya centre and RDIF.

The Phase III clinical study involving 7,000 people was conducted in multiple countries including Russia, the UAE, Ghana and others. As of May 5, more than 20 million people globally have received their first shot of Sputnik V.