Namibia to suspend Russia's Sputnik V COVID vaccine amid concerns over HIV infections

Namibia health ministry on Saturday, October 23, anunced that nation will discontinue use of Russia’s Sputnik V COVID vaccine following concerns raised by a neighbouring country, South Africa. According to a press release, Namibia’s health ministry said that decision to halt use of Russian vaccine was 'out of an abundance of caution' that men who received Sputnik V may be at highest risk of contracting HIV. It ded that nation is suspending, with immediate effect, use of Sputnik V shots until formula is listed for emergency use by World Health Organization. 

Namibia suspends use of Russia's Sputnik V 

As per press te, Namibia h taken delivery of a Serbian donation of 30,000 Sputnik V doses, out of which less than 120 have been ministered so far. health ministry said that those who have alrey been ministered Russian vaccine will, however, be offered second dose as well to complete vaccination schedule. Meanwhile, ministry ded that it will continue to eng with World Health Organization, African CDC and or relevant institutions on furr scientific developments on matter. 

South African Health Product Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has decided t to approve an emergency use application for Sputnik V for w because it said that some studies have suggested that Russian vaccine was associated with higher susceptibility to HIV in men. In a statement, SAHPRA referred to past failed HIV vaccines that used a techlogy similar to that used to produce Sputnik V. However, as per a press te, review process continues and regulator said that it is still open to receiving furr safety data from Russian manufacturer.

Sputnik V's manufacturer says concerns about vaccine 'completely unfounded'

Gamaleya Center, Sputnik V's manufacturer, on or hand, has called concerns about vaccine 'completely unfounded'. According to RFERL media ncy, Gamaleya Center said that speculation about link between evirus 5 and HIV transmission in high-risk populations was based on 'small-scale inconclusive studies' among volunteers with highly probable risky behaviour. It clearly stated that re is evidence of an increased risk of HIV infection among human population. 

(Im: PTI)