Gam-COVID-Vac, also known as Sputnik V, was the first COVID-19 vaccine to be registered for use in any country. Since then, 67 nations have approved it, including Brazil, Hungary, India, and the Philippines. However, neither the World Health Organization nor the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has yet to approve the vaccine for use in an emergency (WHO). The COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) initiative, which supplies doses for lower-income countries, depends on WHO approval for broader distribution.

The vaccine, created by researchers at the Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow, was approved for use on August 11 2020, more than a month before the findings of phase I and II trials were released, and even before the phase III study had even started.

What is Sputnik V?

Cowin Sputnik V is a well-researched human adenovirus vector platform-based vaccine, making it the first licenced vaccine in the world. With a population of 4 billion people worldwide, it has received approval for usage in 71 nations. The first Soviet space satellite inspired the vaccine's name. The 1957 launch of Sputnik-1 rekindled interest in space exploration worldwide, ushering in the so-called "Sputnik moment" for humanity.

Based on an analysis of data on the incidence of coronavirus among Russians who received both vaccination components between December 5, 2020, and March 31, 2021, the vaccine's efficacy was determined to be 97.6%. The Sputnik V vaccine is based on a human adenovirus vector platform that has been well-proven and investigated; these vectors are the source of the common cold and have afflicted people for millennia.

The first coronavirus vaccine to employ a heterogeneous boosting strategy based on two distinct vectors for two vaccine injections was Sputnik V. Compared to vaccinations that use the same delivery system for both injections, this strategy produces a more long-lasting immunity. More than 250 clinical trials conducted over 20 years have demonstrated the adenovirus vaccines' efficiency, safety, and lack of long-term side effects.

Approval and Distribution of Sputnik V

The new COVID-19 strain has quickly crippled the Indian healthcare system. Our country, which was providing vaccines to its neighbours just a few weeks ago, now lacks nearly every resource needed to combat the epidemic, including life-saving vaccines.

The Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine has been certified by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for use in India during an emergency. This is the third vaccine against the deadly virus that India has approved for use. Covishield and Covaxin are the two prior medications.

India was one of the leading countries slated to develop the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, and Russia wanted to ship 250 million doses of it to them. At least 1,152 million doses of Sputnik V were expected to be produced annually by Indian businesses overall. Furthermore, 24 million doses of the vaccine were ordered by Mexico altogether. As of January 2022, Sputnik V was legal globally in more than 70 nations. While Slovakia and Hungary were among the EU nations to have approved the use of the vaccine earlier, Russia submitted an application for EU authorisation of the vaccine in January 2021.

Over 50 nations placed orders with Russia for Sputnik V. As of January 2021, Serbia, Belarus, and Russia all used the vaccine for vaccination. To hasten the distribution of Sputnik V worldwide, Russia submitted a prequalification application to the WHO in October 2020. Brazil, China, India, and the Republic of Korea are just a few nations that might manufacture the vaccine and sell it worldwide. Mexico showed the highest degree of Sputnik V awareness among the many countries assessed in November 2020.

Clinical Studies and Research on Sputnik V

The cowin' Sputnik underwent all phases of pre-clinical testing before the start of clinical trials, including tests on two different species of monkeys. The vaccine's phase 1 and phase 2 clinical studies were finished on August 1, 2020. All volunteers are healthy, and no unexpected or undesirable side effects were noticed. The vaccination brought on strong antibody and cellular immunological responses. After receiving the vaccination, no participant in the ongoing clinical trials contracted COVID-19.

The ability of the volunteers' immune cells to activate in response to the spike S protein of the coronavirus, which indicates the formation of both antibody and cellular immune vaccine response, and high precision tests for antibodies in the blood serum of volunteers—including analysis for antibodies that neutralize the coronavirus—were used to confirm the vaccine's high efficacy.

Pros and Cons of Sputnik V

The pros and cons of Sputnik V are essential to know because it has seen extensive research. 19,866 individuals from 25 hospitals participated in the clinical trials and received two doses of either the vaccination or a placebo. The findings show that Sputnik V is 91.6 per cent successful in avoiding COVID-19. The vaccine's effectiveness increases to 91.8 per cent in persons 60 and older.

Pros

Here are some potential pros of the Sputnik V vaccine:

1. High efficacy: The Sputnik V vaccine has shown high efficacy rates in clinical trials, with an efficacy of 91.6% against COVID-19.
2. Two-dose vaccine: Like many other COVID-19 vaccines, Sputnik V requires two doses, which may provide stronger and longer-lasting immunity against the virus.
3. Use of established technology: Sputnik V is based on a well-established vaccine technology platform, adenoviral vector, which has been used in other vaccines.
4. Approved by WHO: The World Health Organization (WHO) has given an emergency use listing to the Sputnik V vaccine, which indicates that it meets international standards for safety, efficacy, and quality.
5. Affordable: The Sputnik V vaccine is reportedly more affordable than some other COVID-19 vaccines, which may make it more accessible to people in lower-income countries.
6. Storage requirements: The vaccine can be stored at temperatures between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius, making it easier to store and distribute than other COVID-19 vaccines that require ultra-cold temperatures.

It's important to note that the availability and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines can vary by location and other factors. It's always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional to determine your best action.

Cons

1. Scientists are worried that it may be challenging to determine the true efficacy of Sputnik V due to the unpredictability of antibody and T-cell levels in trials.
2. Some scientists are worried that prior immune system responses to the adenoviruses in the vaccine may impact the effectiveness of the vaccination.
3. Additionally, there have been issues with clinical trial transparency and Sputnik V's quality standards.

Conclusion

Russian scientists at the Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology created the combination vector vaccination known as Sputnik V. In 69 nations worldwide, it has been approved for usage. Sputnik V has been demonstrated to be up to 91.8 per cent effective in preventing COVID-19 in clinical trials. In the global fight against COVID-19, Sputnik V is regarded as another safe and reliable vaccine alternative compared to other products on the market.

FAQ

When will Russia provide all of the scientific evidence supporting the vaccine?
Russia has already provided scientific evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of its Sputnik V vaccine. The Lancet, one of the top worldwide medical journals, has released an overview of the vaccination Phase I–II and III clinical trials, showing that the vaccine has a high efficacy rate and a good safety profile.

In addition, the Sputnik V vaccine has been approved for emergency use in over 70 countries, including India, Argentina, Hungary, and the UAE. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also recognised the vaccine for emergency use listing, indicating that it meets international safety, efficacy, and quality standards. Therefore, ample scientific evidence supports the use of the Sputnik V vaccine.

How can I get or buy the vaccine?

After receiving the go-ahead from the relevant regulatory body within the national anti-COVID-19 mass immunisation campaign, Sputnik V will be made available by a particular nation's population. Subscribe to its social media streams for information on Sputnik V's global production and distribution statistics.

What will the Sputnik V vaccination cost?

Production costs and logistics will influence prices in particular nations. Numerous nations, including Russia, have government medical insurance plans to cover vaccination costs. The pricing will be competitive, with a maximum of $10 per dose, as we do not intend to make excessive profits from selling the vaccine. To learn more, subscribe to the Sputnik V social media streams.