Sputnik means a satellite or travel companion in Russian. It was the name of the first satellite launched from Earth. Last August, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the “world’s first Covid-19 vaccine” – Sputnik V (the “V” stands for the letter V rather than the Roman numeral for five), the first batch of which is likely to arrive in India on May 1st.
At the time, there was skepticism about Sputnik V because Russia had not exchanged experimental data, although the vaccine was developed by the National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Gamaleya, which was previously involved in the development of Ebola and Mers vaccines.
Sputnik V’s perception changed in February of this year when the experimental data was published in The Lancet magazine. The paper that publishes the data said the vaccine “seems safe and effective”.
“HIGHEST EFFICIENCY”
The effectiveness of Sputnik V after three test phases was 91.6 percent. Two months later, on April 21, days after India approved it as the third Covid-19 vaccine to be introduced in the country, the Gamaleya Institute announced that Sputnik V had the highest effectiveness of any against Covid-19 to date developed vaccines.
It said: “Russia’s MOH [Ministry of Health] Analysis of 3.8 million vaccinated animals shows that Sputnik V’s effectiveness in preventing infections is 97.6%, making it the most effective Covid-19 vaccine in the world. Sputnik V is 100% effective in preventing severe cases. “
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VARIABLE DOSAGE
Sputnik V is a vector viral vaccine, just like the AstraZeneca vaccine (marketed as Covishield in India). But unlike any other Covid-19 vaccine, Sputnik V has a regime in which both doses of the vaccine are different from each other.
The two doses use different vectors to target the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes Covid-19. In nature, the two doses of Sputnik V are slightly different versions of the same vaccine and are aimed at providing longer protection against Covid-19.
OTHER VERSIONS
The Gamaleya Institute is developing other versions of Sputnik V. The regular liquid version can be stored in a similar temperature range (2-8 degrees Celsius) as Covishield and Covaxin.
Another version that can be stored at normal refrigerator temperature is under development. The institute has already announced a powder version of Sputnik V. This makes Sputnik V the most diversified Covid-19 vaccine available today.
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COSTS
Sputnik V is the cheapest in the world. Its only rival is AstraZeneca’s stab, which costs $ 4 per dose compared to $ 10 (around Rs 750) for the Russian shot. Russia had previously stated that the vaccine could be available in India for less than $ 10 per dose.
The existing Covid-19 vaccines – Covishield and Covaxin – in India have been offered in private hospitals at a price of 250 rupees and are available for free at government centers. However, prices for Covishield and Covaxin doses may go up now, as both manufacturers have announced higher prices starting May 1, when India’s vaccine drive opens to everyone over the age of 18.
The The prices announced for private hospitals make Covaxin more expensive than the Russian shock if the latter maintains its dose rate of $ 10 per dose. Covishield will still be cheaper in India than Sputnik V.
GLOBAL REACH
Sputnik could be the Covid-19 vaccine with the maximum global reach. More than 60 countries have signed contracts for the delivery of Sputnik V.
The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which financed the development of the vaccine and signed trade deals for Sputnik V with countries, has signed contracts with five Indian companies to produce 850 million or 85 crore doses of the vaccine.
With availability starting in May – the month India launches its new phase of Covid-19 vaccination campaign that will allow every adult to get the vaccine – Sputnik V can play a pivotal role in the second half of 2021, if India is expected to see a waning phase of the coronavirus pandemic.
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