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Sputnik V Vaccine

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February 5, 2024
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Sputnik V Vaccine

Sputnik V (Gam-COVID-Vac) is the first adenoviral-based vaccine registered against the SARS-CoV-2 betacoronavirus that causes COVID-19. Initially produced in Russia in 2020, Sputnik V uses a weakened virus to deliver small pathogen parts and stimulate an immune response. The Sputnik V vaccine reduces the time taken for the actual development of immunity to SARS-CoV-2. Sputnik V is a two-component vaccine used by adenovirus serotypes 5 and 26. A fragment of tissue-type plasminogen activator is not used, and the antigen insert is an unmodified full-length S-protein. Sputnik V is produced with the HEK293 cell line and is based on adenovirus DNA, in which the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus gene is integrated. Adenovirus is a "container" that delivers the coronavirus gene to cells and synthesizes the SARS-CoV-2's envelope proteins, "introducing" the immune system to a potential enemy. The cells then use the gene to produce the spike protein. A person's immune system treats this spike protein as foreign and produces natural defenses, antibodies, and T cells against this protein.

Enhanced Sputnik Vaccine 2024

TASS reported on October 23, 2023, that a new Sputnik V vaccine is expected to enter public circulation by March 2024. According to Professor Vladimir Chulanov, MD, PhD, DSc, diseases specialist, the updated Sputnik V vaccine may be made available to the public as soon as safety testing of the drug is successfully completed.

Original Sputnik Vaccine

In May 2020, the Russian state institute Gamaleya National Research Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology, which was founded in 1891, announced that it developed a vaccine that does not have any side effects. The first vaccination leads to humoral cellular immunity, and memory cells are formed once a second vaccination is administered.

On February 2, 2021, The Lancet published a new study: Safety and efficacy of a rAd26 and rAd5 vector-based heterologous prime-boost COVID-19 vaccine, an interim analysis of a randomized controlled phase 3 trial in Russia. This peer-reviewed article concluded the phase 3 trial of Gam-COVID-Vac showed 91.6% efficacy against COVID-19 and was well tolerated in a large cohort. In a follow-up Lancet article published on May 12, 2021, the author stated: The reporting of the interim analysis in the phase 3 Sputnik V clinical trial fully complies with those standards.

On March 22, 2021, the Ulema Council confirmed that 'faith does not forbid Russian Muslims from getting vaccinated with Sputnik V after considering two components of the Covid-19 vaccine for Sharia compliance (for medicine). Interfax reported on February 12, 2021, that the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine contains no components prohibited by Islam.

On April 13, 2021, researchers from Argentina-based CONICET, under the coordination of the Ministry of Health of the Province of Buenos Aires, announced that 94% of people who received a single dose of the Sputnik V vaccine produced specific amounts of antibodies.  In addition, previously infected people who received only one dose had five times more antibodies than those who completed the two-dose schedule without a history of COVID-19.  On June 29, 2021, the RDIF and the UAE Ministry of Health published an analysis based on 81 thousand people vaccinated with both components of the Sputnik V vaccine, demonstrating full (100%) effectiveness against severe COVID-19. 

On July 12, 2021, the Russian Ministry of Health confirmed Sputnik V's efficacy against the Delta variant. The vaccine is 83.1% effective and shows a 6x reduction in infection risk. Sputnik V is also 94.4% effective against hospitalizations, with an 18x decrease in hospitalization risk.  The Sputnik V vaccine offered completely vaccinated patients 81% protection against being hospitalized during Argentina's SARS-CoV-2 virus Delta variant surge from July to August 2021, a non-peer-reviewed study reported on August 25, 2021.  The journal Nature published results from a clinical study conducted in Israel on November 4, 2021 - This preliminary finding of vaccine waning as a factor of time from vaccination should prompt further investigations into long-term protection against different SARS-CoV-2 virus strains.

The Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology announced on August 23, 2022, that a new version of Sputnik V has been Delta- and Omicron-adapted. This new version addresses the L-452-R mutation in the Omicron BA5 variant, which was not present in the BA1 variant.

The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) posted a  Public Health in Practice, Volume 4, December 2022, 100313, a study that contributes to the information published on the safety and immunogenicity of Gam-COVID-Vac heterologous vaccination regimens.  his study found that in patients aged ≥65 years, the standard two doses of Gam-COVID-Vac (rA26/rdA5) [SPUTNIK-V] and the combination of rAd26/ChAdOx1 (Oxford-Astra Zeneca) significantly increased anti-S titres at 28 days post-second-dose vaccination.

The Sputnik V vaccine was Authorized in August 2020 and Approved in Russia on February 4, 2020. The Sputnik V vaccine (Спутник V) Accession Number: DB15848. Registered on August 11, 2020: ЛП-006395. As of Agust 2023, the WHO indicated it had restarted the authorization process.

Sputnik V Vaccine Effivesness

A peer-reviewed study published on June 23, 2022, found the Sputnik vaccine demonstrated the highest antibody response against Omicron variants among people previously infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This finding suggests broad population immunity to SARS-CoV-2 will eventually be achieved but by heterogeneous paths. The Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology announced on June 15, 2022, that a joint study found the two-dose Sputnik V vaccine is 97% effective against hospitalization caused by the Omicron variant of coronavirus (B.1.1.529) among those vaccinated with 3 or 4 components (re-vaccination with Sputnik Light or Sputnik V after Sputnik V).  previously, on January 20, 2022, a unique independent comparative, non-peer-reviewed study conducted in Italy showed that two doses of Sputnik V provide more than two times higher geometric mean titers of virus-neutralizing antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus Omicron variant than two doses of Pfizer vaccine (2.1 times higher in total and 2.6 times higher three months after vaccination).

On May 21, 2022, the peer-reviewed journal Vaccines published a new study: Retention of Neutralizing Response against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant in Sputnik V-Vaccinated Individuals -that concluded 'Vaccination with Sputnik V allows the formation of neutralizing antibodies that can neutralize the Omicron variant. The non-peer-reviewed study, funded by the RDIF, reported on December 21, 2021, study results showed that a decrease in the level of neutralizing antibodies was observed against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant in comparison to the B.1.1.1 variant.

Sputnik V History

The Sputnik V vaccine was created at the N.F.  Gamaleya Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology Ministry of Health of Russia.  On August 1, 2020, the Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko told reporters the 'clinical trial had been declared completed' and was then registered to 'FSBI "NF Gamaleya NITsEM" of the Ministry of Health of Russia ("Medgamal" branch of NF Gamaleya NITsEM "of the Ministry of Health of Russia)' on August 8, 2020.  he Gamaleya Center used the same human adenoviral platform for their earlier research, including but not limited to vaccines against Ebola in 2017 and MERS in 2019.

The Russian Direct Investment Fund announced on August 20, 2020, that the Sputnik V vaccine candidate would be tested on 40,000 volunteers in more than 45 medical centers to confirm clinical efficacy post-approval studies.  On October 27, 2020, RDIF announced it had submitted applications to the World Health Organization for an Emergency Use Listing and prequalification of the Sputnik V vaccine candidate. the RDIF was established in 2011 and provided support to facilitate partnerships, including the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology and the Central Research Institute of the Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Defense Troops. 

Sputnik V Dosage

The Sputnik V vaccine is manufactured as a liquid formulation containing 10¹¹ vp per 0·5 mL/dose.  or intramuscular injection composition for one dose (0.5 ml): Active substance: recombinant serotype 26 adenoviral particles containing the SARS-CoV-2 S protein gene, in the amount of (1.0±0.5) x 10*11 particles per dose.

Sputnik Light Vaccine

The Sputnik Light vaccine is the first component (recombinant human adenovirus 26 serotype (rAd26) of the Sputnik V vaccine.

Sputnik M Vaccine

Sputnik M vaccine doses contain 20% of the Sputnik V vaccine dose. Moscow City Deputy Mayor Anastasia Rakova told local media on November 19, 2021, that the first component of the Sputnik M coronavirus vaccine has been administered to about 400 teenagers, and early results show it's safe and efficient.  On January 31, 2021, BNA reported Moscow has started offering the 12-17 age group Sputnik M vaccinations.

Sputnik V Booster

Bahrain's National Medical Taskforce for Combatting the Coronavirus (COVID-19) announced on September 4, 2021, the formal authorization of Sputnik V as a booster shot for those 18 and above who received their second dose of the Sputnik V vaccine at least six months ago. He authorized the Sputnik V booster shot.  Gintsburg, Gamaleya Center head: "Sputnik nasal vaccine, world's 1st registered СOVID vaccine in nasal form, is especially effective vs. highly transmissible #Omicron & other emerging variants not only in terms of protection from infection but also at preventing transmission" t was the first of its kind.

India's central government approved using the Sputnik V vaccine as a booster, as reported by the Hindustan Times on May 7, 2022.

Sputnik V Nasal Spray

The Atlantic published an article on December 21, 2022 - Nasal Vaccines Are Here.   Twitter post on October 27, 2022, stated Moscow accelerated mass vaccination with the Sputnik vaccine in nasal form. According to Deputy Mayor Anastasia Rakova, the nasal vaccine is available in multiple vaccination centers & clinics in Moscow.

On August 31, 2022, the Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology announced a publication in Emerging Microbes & Infections, a peer-reviewed medical journal, sharing the results of a study on the intranasally delivered Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine.  The study shows this vaccine induces a strong and durable immune response in animals.

On June 12, 2021, Alexander Gintsburg, with Gamaleya Institute, stated the nasal spray for children uses the same vaccine technology "only instead of a needle, a nozzle is put on," the TASS reported. A review published in May 2016 presented an understanding of mucosal immunity to illustrate the distinct challenges of developing successful vaccines and to outline potential solutions.

Sputnik V Indication

The Russian Sputnik V COVID-19 Vaccine (Gam-COVID-Vac) is indicated to build immunity to SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease. Sputnik V is available in the vaccine's lyophilized (dry) form. It significantly facilitates the logistics of its distribution in international markets due to simplified requirements for its storage temperature (+ 2 - 8 degrees Celsius).

Sputnik V and HIV

Data presented in The Lancet eClinicalMedicine on March 23, 2022, are scientific results on the preventive efficacy of a COVID-19 vaccine to protect against infection in people living with HIV (PLWH). Based on data from more than 24,000 HIV+ patients in Moscow on antiretroviral therapy (ART), Sputnik V's efficacy was 79%. The vaccine's efficacy against hospitalization was more than 90%.  putnik V is more than 97% effective against moderate or severe disease development among PLWH. The Gamaleya Center and Moscow City Center for AIDS Prevention and Control conducted the analysis.

The Lancet published a non-peer-reviewed HIV study on October 25, 2021 - Sputnik V Protection from COVID-19 of HIV-Infected Individuals Under Art. The conclusion: The study demonstrated the high epidemiological effectiveness of full immunization with Sputnik V in HIV-infected ART-treated patients with CD4 + T-cell counts ≥ 350 cells/μl.  Moreover, the epidemiological efficacy of vaccination was documented for both – the original and the delta SARS-CoV-2 variants, with the latter predominating in the Moscow region since June 2021.  Although the efficiency of the vaccine declined in immunocompromised individuals (T-cell count < 350 cells/μl), it is still sufficient to recommend vaccination with Sputnik V for this cohort.

Sputnik V Production

Sputnik V vaccine has built production partnerships with producers in 14 countries and intends to double its capacity in September 2021, stated the Sputnik V website on August 11, 2021.  The quality and safety of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine are, among other things, assured by the fact that it uses a 4-stage purification technology that includes two stages of chromatography and two stages of tangential flow filtration. This purification technology helps obtain a highly purified product through mandatory quality control, including control for RCA or any additives presence. Furthermore, only E1- and E3-type non-replicating adenoviral vectors, which are harmless to the human body, are used in the Sputnik V vaccine production. Sputnik V cell lines: Design and Development: HEK293 cells; Production: HEK293 cells.

RDIF announced on May 24, 2021, that India-based Panacea Biotec started Sputnik V vaccine production at facilities in Buddy.  Full-scale production of Sputnik V is expected to begin during the summer of 2021.  On June 3, 2021, local media reported Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company announced a memorandum of understanding with the RDIF and Binnopharm Group, а subsidiary of Sistema PJSFC, to explore the establishment of a vaccine production facility in the Kingdom of Bahrain to manufacture and distribute the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine across the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Middle East region.

Argentina and Serbia confirmed on June 4, 2021, that they had begun industrial production of the Sputnik V vaccine.  and India's DCGI granted the Serum Institute of India permission on June 4, 2021, to manufacture the Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine at its licensed Hadapsar facility.  On June 16, 2021, TASS reported that the Swiss-Italian company Adienne Pharma & Biotech had launched the first Sputnik V vaccine test batch in Italy.  Reuters reported on June 18, 2021.  he Argentine laboratory Richmond produced almost half a million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine in the country.

On June 23, 2021, following an application for Emergency Use Listing of the Gamaleya COVID-19 vaccine, the WHO inspected the four manufacturing sites named in the application.  Following the inspection of the Open Joint-Stock Company Pharmstandard - Ufa Vitamin Plant (28 Khudayberdina str, Ufa, Republic of Bashkortostan, 450077, Russia) (from now on, the "manufacturer"), during the period from May 31, 2021, to June 4, 2021, the WHO's PQT Inspection Team reported various findings at this plant, but not the other three vaccine production facilities.  According to the WHO, any vaccine proven to be safe, efficacious, and quality assured and otherwise meets the requirements outlined in the EUL Procedure will be granted an EUL recommendation.

The RDIF and Actoverco, one of Iran's leading pharmaceutical companies, confirmed on June 26, 2021, the production of a Sputnik V vaccine test batch.  These vaccines will be used in Iran.

On July 5, 2021, the RDIF and Mexican pharmaceutical company Laboratorios de Biológicos y Reactivos de México (BIRMEX) announced the production of a test batch of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine.  Mexico became the first country in North America to register Sputnik V and launch its local production. On July 20, 2021, the Laboratorios de Biológicos y Reactivos de México SA de CV (Birmex) sent the pilot tests to the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology.  The batches with the pilot tests of components 1 and 2 were kept in the National Institute of Virology of Birmex facilities in conditions of -20ºC.

The RDIF and Serum Institute of India (SII), the world's largest vaccine manufacturer by volume, announced cooperation to produce the Sputnik V vaccine. the first batch of Sputnik is expected to be produced at SII's facilities in September 2021.  The parties stated in a press release that they intend to have over 300 million vaccine doses in India annually.

 

South Korea-based GL Rapha was certified to produce Sputnik vaccines on October 26, 2021.  L Rapha has agreed to produce over 150 million Sputnik V and Sputnik Light vaccine doses annually.  On December 1, 2021, the RDIF, Binnopharm Group, and Vietnam's T&T GROUP signed an agreement to create a full-cycle production of Sputnik V in Vietnam

QazCovid-in Vaccine

The Karaganda Pharmaceutical Complex in Kazakhstan used the Sputnik V vaccine to produce the QazCovid-In Vaccine. The first batch of 50,000 vaccine doses was delivered on April 26, 2021.

Sputnik V Side Effects

The peer-reviewed journal NEJM published a Correspondence on October 13, 2022: Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombocytopenia and Thrombosis after the Sputnik V Vaccine. the results of repeated searches of the literature indicated that no cases were reported after the administration of the Sputnik V vaccine as of August 12, 2022.

The peer-reviewed journal The Lancet published ROCCA cohort study: Nationwide results on safety of Gam-COVID-Vac vaccine (Sputnik V) in the Republic of San Marino using active surveillance on May 20, 2022.  After the first dose, systemic reactions were reported by 57·5% of the participants, while injection site reactions were reported by 46·7%.  The most common AEFIs were pain at the injection site, fatigue, and headache. Rade 3 or 4 AEFIs were reported by 0·8% and 0·3% of the participants, respectively.  After the second dose, systemic reactions were reported by 63·1% of the participants, while injection site reactions by 54·7%.  The most common AEFIs were malaise, pain at the injection site, and myalgia. Rade 3 or 4 AEFIs were reported by 2.7% and 1.1% of the participants. Interpretation: Our results confirm a good tolerability profile for the adult population. The Lancet published a study on November 2, 2021, that found 'most of the solicited adverse reactions were mild (66.4% from all vaccinees), few were moderate (5·5%).  o serious adverse events were detected.' TASS reported on November 19, 2021, that the deputy CEO of the Gamaleya Center, Denis Logunov, stated, 'There have been no confirmed cases of deaths triggered by Sputnik V.'

Sputnik V Ingredients 

The active components are a modified replication-defective adenovirus of a different serotype (Serotype 26 for the first component and Serotype 5 for the second), modified to include the protein S-expressing gene of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.  The ingredients include Tris-(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane, Sodium chloride, Sucrose, Magnesium chloride hexahydrate, Disodium EDTA dihydrate, Polysorbate 80, Ethanol, and Water.

Sputnik V Cost

The cost of one dose of the Sputnik V vaccine for international markets will be less than $10. Sputnik V is a 2-dose vaccine. Thus, it may cost less than $20 per person.

Sputnik V Vaccine Distribution Agreements

As of 2023, about 71 countries had authorized the Sputnik V Vaccine: AlgeriaAustraliaArgentina, BelarusBolivia, SerbiaPalestine, Venezuela, Peru, Paraguay, Turkmenistan, Hungary, UAE, Iran, Republic of Guinea, Tunisia, Armenia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Srpska, Lebanon, Myanmar, Pakistan, Mongolia, Bahrain, Montenegro, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Gabon, San Marino, Ghana, Syria, Kyrgyzstan, Guyana, Egypt, Honduras, Guatemala, SlovakiaAngola, Congo, Republic of Djibouti, Sri Lanka, Iraq, Kenya, Morocco, JordanNamibiaAzerbaijanCameroon, Philippines, SeychellesMauritius, Vietnam, Antigua and Barbuda, Mali, Panama, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Turkish RepublicRepublic of AlbaniaMaldivesEcuador, Slovakia Republic, Malaysia, Brazil, Nigeria, ChileIndonesia, Cambodia, and Gaza.

Sputnik V Vaccine Legal Matters

The Russian news agency TASS reported on March 22, 2021, RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev commented, 'One of the US companies manufacturing the vaccine violates our patents.  e have notified this company and want to start a dialog.'

Sputnik V Vaccine Clinical Trials

The Sputnik V vaccine publishes a list of relevant clinical studies.

Clinical Trial NCT04530396: Phase 3 Clinical Trial of Efficacy, Safety, and Immunogenicity of Gam-COVID-Vac Vaccine Against COVID-19 (RESIST). Randomized, double-blind (blinded for the trial subject and the study physician), placebo-controlled, multi-center clinical trial in the parallel assignment of efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of the Gam-COVID-Vac combined vector vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2-induced coronavirus infection in adults in the SARS-СoV-2 infection prophylactic treatment. Update Posted: January 22, 2021.

Clinical Trial NCT04436471 - An open two-stage non-randomized Phase 1/2 study with 38 healthy volunteers.