Sputnik V, developed in Russia by Gamaleya Institute, is reported to show over 91.6% efficacy against coronavirus.
The Russian-developed Sputnik V vaccine has been found to be more efficient against the highly transmissible Delta variant of Covid-19, which was first identified in India, according to a study.
The drug has been found to be more efficient against the Delta variant than any other vaccine currently being used to fight the viral infection in the study, Sputnik V’s official handle posted on Twitter.
The highly infectious and deadly delta variant of coronavirus, first detected in India has been spreading across the globe and is said to be on track to become the dominant strain in many countries.
The Delta variant of coronavirus, first identified in India, has been found to be highly transmissible and doubles the risk of hospitalization when compared with the Alpha variant first found in the UK.
Earlier, a study published in The Lancet journal found that Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca vaccines also provide good protection against the Delta strain.
Delta variant is a concern for the whole world
Delta variant is blamed for the disastrous second wave of coronavirus infections in India. While The effectiveness of the existing vaccines against the delta strain is still being studied across the world, it remains a big concern. The biggest worry is the possibility that this strain may evade the antibodies produced by vaccination.
The B.1.617 variant and its lineage B.1.617.2 were primarily responsible for the surge in cases. The Delta variant is said to have 50 per cent more transmissibility than the Alpha or B.1.1.7 variant.
However, the news about the high effectiveness of Sputnik V against the Delta variant has come as a big respite for India.
“Sputnik V is more efficient against the Delta variant of coronavirus, first detected in India than any other vaccine that has published results on this strain so far – the Gamaleya Center study submitted for publication in an international peer-reviewed journal,” read a tweet shared by Sputnik V.
Sputnik’s claim
Developed in Russia by Gamaleya Institute, Sputnik V is reported to show over 91.6% efficacy against coronavirus. At present, the drug has been approved for use in 67 countries across the world.
The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) on June 10 declared that the efficacy of the Sputnik V was estimated at 94.3% during a vaccination campaign by Bahrain’s ministry of health.
It is worth noting that the World Health Organization (WHO) is yet to approve Sputnik V as an emergency use vaccine.
Sputnik V for India
Sputnik V is set to make its entry in India after a rollout is expected in Delhi’s Indraprastha Apollo Hospital. According to the sources, the program for Sputnik V rollout at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital will depend on the consignment received.
The first phase of the Sputnik V rollout by Apollo Hospitals and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories had started on a pilot basis on May 17 in Hyderabad and on May 18 in Vishakhapatnam.
Besides Apollo Hospitals, the vaccine is also available in Hyderabad at Continental Hospitals.
The price per dose of Sputnik V at private hospitals as per the pricing schedule issued by the central government has been capped at Rs 1,145.
The use of single-dose Sputnik V in India is expected to provide a significant boost to the country’s vaccination drive, which faced multiple hiccups in several states amid a crippling shortage of doses. India, the world’s biggest vaccine manufacturer, has been able to vaccinate around 3% of its population.