In the face of a strong wave of infections of the Omicron variant worldwide, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said that its Sputnik V vaccine has demonstrated the ability to induce a strong neutralizing antibody response to Omicron variant. This effect will be further enhanced with a third injection of Sputnik Light, a shortened version of the Sputnik V vaccine.
The results were confirmed by RDIF, the agency in charge of commercialization of the COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V, from preliminary research conducted by the Gamaleya Center for Research in Epidemiology and Microbiology, a research unit and developed the Sputnik V vaccine from the very beginning.
“Sputnik V has demonstrated a reduction in its virus neutralizing activity with Omicron 3-7 times lower than data from other vaccine manufacturers.“, the RDIF’s latest press release reads.
Sputnik V vaccine is produced in Vietnam by Vaccines and Biological Products One Member Company Limited (VABIOTECH) – an enterprise under the Ministry of Health.
Specifically, when faced with the Omicron variant, the virus neutralization ability of the Sputnik V vaccine was only reduced by 11.8 times. In comparison, the reduction of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is 41 times and that of the Moderna vaccine is between 49-84 times.
“So far, Sputnik V is showing the best virus neutralization results for the Omicron variant compared to other vaccines.“, emphasized RDIF.
The preliminary study conducted by the Gamaleya Center used serum from people vaccinated with Sputnik V, collected more than 6 months after vaccination. Russian scientists say this is “an indicator of Sputnik V’s extended protection, in contrast to the short study times of other vaccine manufacturers (12-27 days for Pfizer BioNTech and 28 days for Moderna).
The results showed that when the Omicron variant was introduced into the sera of people who had received the Sputnik V vaccine, T-cell responses emerged. This is because the vaccine-trained immune system is still able to recognize 80% of the antigenic determinants (epitopes) on the protein spikes of the Omicron variant, which are not affected by mutations. Out.
“Sputnik V is expected to provide long-term protection against serious disease caused by Omicron. Previously, Sputnik V’s sustained T-cell immunity contributed to 80% effectiveness against the Delta strain at 6–8 months compared with less than 29% efficacy demonstrated by some vaccines. mRNA after 6 months“, said the RDIF.
The ability to resist the Omicron variant of the Sputnik V vaccine can even be further enhanced if those who have received two doses of these vaccines receive a third dose of Sputnik Light.
As we all know, Sputnik V vaccine is a dual vaccine based on virus vector technology. The first injection uses the Ad26 vector while the second injection uses the Ad5 vector.
With proven effectiveness, the Gamaleya Center then split the first shot using the Ad26 vector to make a shortened version of the Sputnik V vaccine called Sputnik Light.
The Sputnik Light vaccine can be used as a separate vaccine, or as a booster for the Sputnik V vaccine, or even COVID-19 vaccines from other manufacturers. such as AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Moderna and Cansino.
The RDIF said that mixed injection trials of these vaccines were carried out in Argentina, showing that if the booster shot, Sputnik Light, is used, the vaccine can increase antibody titers higher than the injections used. primary homogenized vaccine.
Now, research continues to show that Sputnik Light offers strong protection against the Omicron variant. “100% of those who received the Sputnik Light vaccine as a booster developed neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron variant and still had high antibody levels after 2-3 months, in comparison only 25% recipients of the booster shot of Pfizer can detect neutralizing antibody levels 3 months after injection“, the RDIF press release said.
The agency therefore recommends that the Sputnik Light vaccine be used as a “universal booster vaccine“, that is, not only for those who have received Sputnik V but also those who have received other COVID-19 vaccines.
“The booster shot Sputnik Light is expected to provide strong protection against infection, severe cases and hospitalizations for Omicron form.“, the RDIF wrote.Vaccination booster Sputnik Light can strengthen and prolong the effectiveness of many vaccines, as they are being rapidly weakened by the Delta and Omicon variants.
The Government of the Russian Federation has also recently donated 100,000 doses of Sputnik Light vaccine to Vietnam to vaccinate the people in the population vaccination plan. This is also the result of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s visit to Russia and talks with Russian President V. Putin.
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