Russia approves one-dose 'Sputnik Light' Covid vaccine, claims 80% efficacy
The developers of the shot said, in a statement, that Sputnik Light "demonstrated 79.4% efficacy" compared to 91.6% for the two-shot Sputnik V
Health officials in Russia approved a single-dose version of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, the developers of the vaccine said on Thursday.
The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which helped finance the vaccine, said in a statement that Sputnik Light “demonstrated 79.4% efficacy” compared to 91.6% for the two-shot Sputnik V.
The results, it said, were drawn from “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”.
In a tweet, the vaccine manufacturer said, “It’s a revolutionary 1-shot COVID-19 vaccine with the 80% efficacy – higher than many 2-shot vaccines.”
Introducing a new member of the Sputnik family – a single dose Sputnik Light!
It’s a revolutionary 1-shot COVID-19 vaccine with the 80% efficacy – higher than many 2-shot vaccines.
Sputnik Light will double vaccination rates and help to handle epidemic peaks ✌️ pic.twitter.com/BCybe8yYWU
— Sputnik V (@sputnikvaccine) May 6, 2021
The Russian vaccine has been approved for use in over 60 countries. However, some Western countries have been wary of Sputnik V — named after the Soviet-era satellite — over concerns the Kremlin would use it as a soft-power tool to advance its interests.