Russia released first batch of ‘Sputnik V’ (Coronavirus Vaccine) for public use: Report

Moscow: The first batch of Russia’s coronavirus vaccine, named “Sputnik V” has been released for public circulation.

According to Russian health ministry, “The first batch of the Gam-COVID-Vac’ (Sputnik V) vaccine for the prevention of new coronavirus infection has passed the necessary quality tests in the laboratories of Roszdravnadzor (medical device regulator) and has been released into civil circulation.”

A prominent medical journal the Lancet also claimed that early results from trials of Russia’s potential coronavirus vaccine showed no major side effects.

According to Lancet report, “The two 42-day trials — including 38 healthy adults each — did not find any serious adverse effects among participants, and confirmed that the vaccine candidates elicit an antibody response. Large, long-term trials including a placebo comparison and further monitoring are needed to establish the long-term safety and effectiveness of the vaccine for preventing COVID-19 infection.”

The world’s first vaccine against the COVID-19 ‘Sputnik V’ was registered by the Russian government on August 11. The vaccine is developed by Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF).

At least 20 countries, including India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Philippines, Mexico and Brazil, have expressed their interest in obtaining the vaccine. Plans include ramping up production of the vaccine to 200 million doses by the end of 2020, including 30 million in Russia.