Russia’s coronavirus vaccine developers says ‘Sputnik V’ is 95 percent effective

Russia’s “Sputnik V” coronavirus vaccine has shown more than 95 percent effectiveness 42 days after the first dose, the researchers developing the vaccine reported on Tuesday, November 24.

The scientists have drawn this conclusion on the basis of the second interim analysis of clinical trial data. The first interim analysis showed 92 percent efficacy for the Sputnik V vaccine.

“There were no unexpected adverse events during the trials. Monitoring of the participants is ongoing,” the vaccine’s developers stated in a press release. 

Also today, Interfax, citing the Russian Direct Investment Fund, reported that the cost of one dose of the Sputnik V (made up of two injections), will be less than $10 for international markets. 

The scientists who created Sputnik V claimed to be the first in the world to develop and register a vaccine against the coronavirus. In September, the vaccine’s developers published the results of their initial trials in the scientific journal The Lancet. After the publication, a group of international scientists pointed out statistical anomalies found in the article and questioned the data’s authenticity. The Russian researchers refuted their doubts.

The Sputnik V vaccine is currently undergoing Phase III clinical trials, involving 40,000 volunteers.