Russia: RDIF says Sputnik V shows 97.2% efficacy against COVID & no adverse effects

Russian-developed Sputnik V vaccine demonstrated 97.2% efficiency against COVID, Russia's Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) informed on Wednesday. Sputnik V revealed se groundbreaking numbers during a vaccination campaign drive held in Belarus. Belarus is among first countries to register Sputnik V and use it for vaccination drives.

RDIF confirms Sputnik's high efficiency

Based on data covering over 8,60,000 inoculated patients between January and July, RDIF maintained that Sputnik V showed 97.2% efficiency against COVID in Belarus. RDIF also maintained that patients who have been vaccinated with Sputnik vaccine showed no signs of verse effects after inoculations and neir were any deaths recorded. RDIF and partners have facilitated technology transfer to localise production of Sputnik V by Belarus’s Belmedpreparaty company, which is also responsible for manufacturing Sputnik V. In April 2021, vaccine produced in Belarus was authorised by Ministry of Health. In April 2021 single-dose Sputnik Light vaccine ( first component of Sputnik V based on human enovirus sero 26) was also registered in Belarus.

Russian Prez Vlimir Putin self-isolates; Kremlin clarifies

Russian President Vlimir Putin has announced that he has entered self-isolation for "whole day" after he came in contact with people who h contracted  Coronavirus. news was confirmed by Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov in Kremlin on Tuesday, September 14. Following announcement, Putin also decided to postpone his visit to Tajikistan as several people in close entourage fell ill.

During a daily media dress in Kremlin, Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Putin has decided to remain under self-isolation even though he tested negative for virus. Asserting that President is "absolutely healthy," Peskov ded that he h come in contact with someone who was infected with virus,  Associated Press reported. However, he remained silent when asked about President's primary contacts or how long Putin would remain under self-isolation. 

As per reports, Russian President Putin has been completely vaccinated with Russia's Sputnik V. However, he was due for his third dose, booster shot that has been initiated in Russia owing to waning effect of vaccines. Neverless, Putin was hardly ever seen wearing a mask in public. Also, his government has never really imposed strict COVID-related measures to curb skyrocketing cases observed in Russia currently.

Image: AP/PTI