Covid Vaccine: Single-Dose 'Sputnik Light' Gets Authorisation In Russia, Reported To Demonstrate 79.4% Efficacy

As per the official statement, the single-dose Sputnik Light vaccine demonstrated 79.4% efficacy according to analyzed data taken from 28 days after the injection was administered.

Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@sputnikvaccine

Moscow: The Russian Ministry of Health, the Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF, Russia’s sovereign wealth fund) have announced the authorisation of 'Sputnik Light' which is a single dose Covid-19 vaccine.

Sputnik Light is the first component (recombinant human adenovirus serotype number 26 (rAd26)) of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, the official release on Sputnik Vaccine website informed.

As per the official statement, the single-dose Sputnik Light vaccine demonstrated 79.4% efficacy according to analyzed data taken from 28 days after the injection was administered. "An efficacy level of near 80% is higher than that of many two-dose vaccines," it stressed.

The official release stated the efficacy rate was calculated based on data obtained from Russians vaccinated with a single injection, having not received the second one for any reason during the mass vaccination program between December 5, 2020 and April 15, 2021.

"Introducing a new member of the Sputnik family - a single dose Sputnik Light! It’s a revolutionary 1-shot Covid-19 vaccine with 80% efficacy - higher than many 2-shot vaccines. Sputnik Light will double vaccination rates and help to handle epidemic peaks," a tweet on the official Twitter account read.

Speaking about the new vaccine, Alexander Gintsburg, Director of the Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, 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. Sputnik Light offers strong value in initial vaccination and re-vaccination, as well as boosting efficacy when taken in combination with other vaccines”.

“The Sputnik Light vaccine significantly reduces the possibility of severe cases leading to hospitalization, with only one injection needed. The single-dose regimen solves the challenge of immunizing large groups in a shorter time, which is especially important during the acute phase of the spread of coronavirus, achieving herd immunity faster," Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) was quoted as saying.

The Russian Ministry of Health maintains that no serious adverse events were registered after vaccination with Sputnik Light while also informing that the two-dose Sputnik V vaccine remains the main vaccination tool. As of May 5, 2021, more than 20 million people globally have received their first shot of Sputnik V, it informed.