Sputnik V, with booster of Light, could be over 80% effective against Omicron: RDIF

Russia’s twin-dose Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine, and a booster shot of the single-dose Sputnik Light jab, are together expected to have an efficacy of more than 80 per cent against the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said on Friday, citing a preliminary laboratory study by the Gamaleya Research Institute.

“Sputnik V induces robust neutralizing antibody response to #Omicron, further strengthened by Sputnik Light booster, performing 3-7X better than other (including mRNA vaccines). Light’s efficacy vs Omicron expected to be more than 80 per cent after 2-3 months,” RDIF shared on Twitter.

As per the study, RDIF said, virus neutralising activity (VNA) against Omicron, within two-three months of a Light booster, was found to be higher than VNA against ‘wild-type’ virus six months after injection of the two Sputnik V doses. “Based on these data, the expected efficacy of Sputnik V with Sputnik Light booster against Omicron could be more than 80 per cent,” it said.

“100 per cent of people revaccinated with Light as booster developed developed neutralising antibodies against Omicron two-three months after revaccination, in contrast with 25 per cent for the Pfizer booster three months after revaccination,” Russia’s sovereign wealth fund further noted.

Comparing the reduction in the virus neutralising activity against B.1.1529 of the Gamaleya-developed jab, RDIF said that the figure for the former stood at 11.8 times decrease, as against 41 for Pfizer and 49-84 for Moderna.

Described as the world’s first registered vaccine against Covid-19,’ Sputnik V currently stands authorised in 71 countries with a combined population of more than four billion, according to RDIF. Sputnik Light, on the other hand, is recognised by more than 20 nations.