Coronavirus

Ignored in Brazil, Sputnik V has 91.6-percent efficacy, says The Lancet

sputnik v vaccine russia
Photo: A.Metelkin/Shutterstock

A study published in scientific journal The Lancet showed that the Russian-made coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V has 91.6-percent efficacy against mild cases of Covid-19. The news comes after Russia’s Gamaleya Institute — the manufacturer of Sputnik V — faced severe international backlash due to a lack of transparency in clinical trials. 

The vaccine is already being used in Latin American countries such as Argentina and Bolivia.

The Brazilian states of Paraná and Bahia have signed contracts with the Russian Direct Investment Fund in order to acquire Sputnik V shots, but regulator Anvisa denied a request for the vaccine’s emergency approval, as late-stage clinical trials are not being held in Brazil. 

On Tuesday afternoon, Anvisa said that the Sputnik V results were “good news,” but that the regulator would require “access to the complete data from clinical trials” before being able to approve the vaccine.

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