The Ministry of Health has registered a single-component vaccine, Sputnik Light; the developers claim that even a single shot is enough for a strong immune response.
"The efficacy <...> was 79.4% from the 28th day after receiving the immunization. The efficacy rate of about 80% exceeds that of many vaccines that require two shots," the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) reported.
The fund specified that the efficiency calculation was based on data taken from 28 days after the injection was administered as part of Russia's mass vaccination program between 5 December 2020 and 15 April 2021.
Sputnik Light is the first component of the Sputnik V vaccine, a recombinant human adenovirus vector of serotype 26 (rAd26).
Phase I and Phase II safety and immunogenicity studies of the drug began in January 2021, with interim results summarized by March 10.
"The results demonstrated production of antigen-specific IgG antibodies in 96.9% of volunteers on day 28 after receiving immunization. Viral neutralizing antibodies were produced in 91.67% of volunteers on day 28 after immunization," the RDIF press service added.
The third phase of the clinical trial involving seven thousand people is taking place in Russia, UAE, Ghana and other countries. Interim data are expected in May.
According to Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, the "light" version serves as an alternative to Sputnik V. Head of the Ministry of Health Mikhail Murashko noted that the registration of this vaccine will accelerate the formation of collective immunity. He also did not rule out that Sputnik Light may be used in the future to vaccinate over-infected people whose antibody titers have decreased.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS