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What Is Sputnik V Vaccine?
It is a viral vector vaccine meant for offering a safeguard against COVID 19 caused by coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The Sputnik V vaccine is developed by Moscow’s Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. The vaccine is also referred to as Gam-COVID-Vac. Recent trials carried out during February 2021 show the vaccine’s 91.6 percent efficacy to fight against the disease without the buildout of any abnormal side effects.
How Does The Sputnik V Vaccine Work?
Sputnik V is an adenovirus viral 2-vector vaccine. Through the inoculation of the vaccine, it is possible to invoke benign viruses, for example, cold, dormant viruses. They help produce the genetic code appropriate for spike proteins. These proteins are used by the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen to bond with human cells.
Consequently, when a person is vaccinated, the human body will identify the protein as foreign elements. It will respond by generating specific T-cells (white blood cells that boost the immune system) and antibodies to enhance immunity and fight against the virus.
The Sputnik V vaccine will be administered in two shots 21 days apart with slightly different versions. The main objective is to make use of two dissimilar formulas that will contribute to further strengthening the immune system and giving longer-term protection.
The vaccine consists of the 2 adenovirus vectors namely;
- Recombinant human adenovirus type 26 (rAd26-S)
- Recombinant human adenovirus type 5 (rAd5-S)
A few alterations have been made to these vectors to extract the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. This protein is used by the virus to get into human cells. Also, the adenoviruses are incapacitated to a certain extent so that their replication in human cells can be prevented. Consequently, the risk of contraction of the disease can be minimized as well.
Sputnik V can be stored in liquid form at -18 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, the vaccine can be preserved at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius in freeze-dried form. This makes it suitable for extensive use in India.
[Also Read: Difference between covaxin and covishield]
Uses Of The Sputnik V Vaccine
Sputnik V boasts of being one of the three globally accepted vaccines with an efficacy rate of more than 90 percent. It renders absolute protection against the most serious cases of COVID 19.
Currently, around 59 countries all across the world, totaling a population of more than 1.5 billion have benefitted from the effectiveness of the vaccine. Several government regulatory bodies have already released the approval to start the vaccination drive. The Sputnik V price is an affordable $10 per shot.
The Sputnik V Vaccine Side Effects
During clinical trials and in the course of the mass vaccination drive, a thorough analysis of any harmful consequences was carried out. However, the vaccine exhibited no incidents of development of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) - a condition that leads to the formation of a blood clot in the brain and puts a stop to proper drainage of blood away from the brain.
Potential side effects include;
- Mild pain at the injection site
- Slight redness at the injection site
- Mild headache and fatigue
- Short-lived flu-like infections
- No strong, persistent allergies
All of them are found to dissipate within a time span of 24 hours.
Conclusion
On April 12, 2021, a panel of experts from the Drugs Controller General of India has put forward the approval for the emergency use of the Sputnik V vaccine to take on the sudden unexpected surge in the COVID 19-second wave. Dr. Reddy’s Lab has collaborated with the Russia Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to import the vaccine to India. Now, it is the third coronavirus vaccine to have received a recommendation for use after Covaxin from Bharat Biotech and Covishield from the Serum Institute of India.
