Sputnik V

The Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology has developed the Russian’s Sputnik V viral vector vaccine. This method uses a vector, i.e. a different virus from SARS-CoV-2, to enter a cell and infect it. In this way, it uses the cellular machinery to produce the spike protein, present in this coronavirus, to generate antibodies.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the approval of the formulation in August 2020, when the phase III of the clinical trial had not yet begun. The results of this phase, involving 40,000 people, were published on 24 November, promising 91,4% efficacy after two doses 21 days apart. 

Ninety-four percent of the volunteers reported very mild adverse effects, although the Russian researchers have not detailed what these were. Sputnik V is currently being used in more than 50 countries, including ten in Latin America and another ten in Africa.

The Sputnik V vaccine can be stored at a temperature between 2°C and 8°C for two months.

Sputnik Light

Sputnik Light is the monodose version of the Russian vaccine Sputnik V, developed by the National Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology Research Gamaleya, with which only the first component of the vaccination is provided. Clinical trials on this single injection have resulted in an effectiveness of 79,4% against symptomatic infection, according to the manufacturer's data.