Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) announced the development of an adapted version of the Sputnik V vaccine against delta and omicron variants.
The composition of the drug takes into account the L452R mutation, which is present in BA5, the Omicron variant, but absent in BA1 variant. The new version of Sputnik V against delta and omicron strains is the most promising variant of the vaccine adapted to new strains, including in comparison with vaccines that combine protection against the original (Wuhan) strain and the Omicron variant.
The adapted Sputnik V vaccine against delta and omicron variants provides a significant reduction in the viral load on the lungs of animals infected with BA5, the Omicron variant. The current version of Sputnik V vaccine continues to show excellent effectiveness in preventing hospitalization and deaths.
According to a study published by a team of researchers of the City Clinical Hospital No. 67 named after Vorokhobov and Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology in the leading peer-reviewed medical journal Vaccines in June 2022, the effectiveness of the Sputnik V vaccine against hospitalization with the Omicron is 97%, and 99.4% against critical cases, if boosted with Sputnik Lite or with revaccination with Sputnik V.
The Sputnik V vaccine version adapted to the new strains will also achieve high effectiveness in preventing new cases.