Russia's Sputnik V vaccine 'safe, effective': Study

The Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine developed in Russia has shown “a consistent strong protective effect across all participant age groups,” according to a study published in medical journal The Lancet.

Interim results from a Phase 3 trial that included some 20,000 people showed 91.6% efficacy of a two-dose regimen of the adenovirus-based vaccine.

“No serious adverse events were deemed to be associated with vaccination, and most reported adverse events were mild, including flu-like symptoms, pain at the injection site, and weakness or low energy,” the article said.

Serious complications, such as requiring hospital admission, were rare in both the placebo group – 0.4% or 23 people from 5,435 – and the vaccine group – 0.2% or 45 from 16,427 people.

None were considered associated with the vaccine, according to the researchers.

The vaccine was also found to be safe and effective for people above 60.

“Sub-analysis of 2,000 adults older than 60 years suggests the vaccine is similarly effective and well-tolerated in this group,” the report said.

Russia was the first country to register a COVID-19 vaccine for public use and it was also the first to launch a mass vaccination drive.

The Sputnik V vaccine is to be administered through two injections and can be combined with other antigens, including those used against the flu.

The difference in the doses is the type of adenovirus used to deliver the vaccine to the body’s cells.

For maximum effect, the immunization agents have to be injected at an interval of two or three weeks, giving the immune system time to calm down after activation, provoked by the introduction of foreign substances.

Sputnik V is a temperature-sensitive vaccine and supposed to be stored at below freezing temperature.