Sputnik V Vaccine More Effective On Omicron Variant Than Pfizer, Suggests Study

The study was conducted jointly by the Italian Spallanzani Institute, an institute for infectious diseases, and the Gamaleya Center. 

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New Delhi: A preliminary study shows that Russian-made Sputnik V is more effective against the Omicron variant as compared to Pfizer medicine. The study was conducted jointly by the Italian Spallanzani Institute, an institute for infectious diseases, and the Gamaleya Center. 

According to a press statement released by the institute on Thursday, the tests showed that “the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine demonstrates more than 2 times higher titers of virus neutralizing antibodies to Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant than 2 doses of Pfizer vaccine (2.1 times higher in total and 2.6 times higher 3 months after vaccination).”

The study suggests that Sputnik V neutralised the Omicron variant by introducing a strong antibody response. It further explains the statistics of the study stating that “ 100% of those vaccinated with Sputnik V were able to neutralize Omicron variant in comparison to 83.3% of individuals vaccinated with Pfizer.”

The institute explains the reason for such a result saying, “Sputnik V develops a wider pool of antibodies to different epitopes in contrast to Pfizer vaccine, which utilizes the spike protein in a proline-stabilized form directed mainly to the specific epitopes, which were highly affected by the mutations in the Omicron variant.”

The statement by the researchers said that the mix and match trial combination was conducted in five sites which ultimately resulted in Sputnik Light being more efficient in making antibodies as compared to “homologous regimen (two shots of the same vaccine).”

However, the vaccine is still to be reviewed by peer scientists. Sputnik V has been authorised in 71 countries until now, and Sputnik Light in more than 30 countries.