Russia’s Sovereign Wealth Fund on Wednesday stated that its Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine is 92% effective at safeguarding people from getting infected with coronavirus, as per the interim trial results. The Russian government reportedly announced this metric as it rushes to keep up with the Western vaccine developers that are competing to develop effective vaccine.

The initial outcomes are only the second ones to be unveiled from a late stage human clinical study in the ongoing global competition to create a vaccine that would stop the pandemic, which has severely affected the world’s economy and more importantly, killed 1.2 million people.

In August, Russia had registered its vaccine for public use, becoming the first nation to do so. However, the approval came prior to the beginning of the vaccine’s large scale trial in September.

The interim outcomes are based upon data from over 16,000 initial clinical trial participants who were given both shots of Sputnik V, a two-dose vaccine, claims the RDIF (Russian Direct Investment Fund), who has been backing and marketing the vaccine across the world.

The so-called Phase 3 clinical trial of the two dose vaccine formulated by the Gamaleya Institute would be conducted across 29 clinics in Moscow, enrolling approximately 40,000 volunteers, of which a quarter would get a placebo shot.

RDIF added that the chances of people getting infected by COVID-19 were 92% less in people who were dosed with Sputnik V in comparison to those who were given placebo. The number is well above the 50% effectiveness target set by the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for a potential vaccines.

The Sputnik V is developed to activate a response using two shots given 21 days apart, each dependent upon different viral vectors that generally cause common cold: human adenoviruses Ad26 and Ad5.

Source credit: https://uk.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-russia-vaccine/russia-says-its-sputnik-v-covid-19-vaccine-is-92-effective-idUKL1N2HW1RN