The Russian Sputnik V vaccine, according to experts, is effective against all known variants of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

This statement was made by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting with the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Kirill Dmitriev.

“It is effective, as I understand from conversations with experts, against all variants of this virus known so far,” Putin said.

The head of the RDIF confirmed this information, noting that this result is achieved through the use of two components of the vaccine.

“We think it is better than other vaccines for all mutations.

This has been proven with the British mutation, a very large number of other mutations.

Therefore, we believe that we really have one of the most powerful vaccines in the world, including against mutations, ”Dmitriev said.

He also stressed that the test systems available in Russia are capable of detecting almost all variants of coronavirus mutations.

“This is very important because mutation is a really big challenge for humanity.

But Russia is also ahead of many here - both in terms of testing and in terms of vaccines, ”said the head of the RDIF.

At the same time, Putin noted the great contribution of RDIF to the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, including through the promotion of vaccines to world markets.

In response, Dmitriev said that by now there are agreements on the release of the vaccine with ten countries and with 20 manufacturers, including the largest in the world.

“India and Korea are already producing the vaccine, and many of these plants will be fully operational in April,” he said.

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Dmitriev explained that the drug released abroad, if necessary, will also go to Russia, which will speed up the pace of vaccination.

According to him, due to the existing production facilities until June 2021, it is possible to vaccinate "virtually all willing Russians."

As a reminder, Sputnik V has already been approved in 59 countries with a total population of over 1.5 billion people.

Vaccine development

In turn, the director of the Gamaleya Center, Alexander Gintsburg, told RIA Novosti that the research institute has developed a technology that allows updating the coronavirus vaccine within two days if the virus mutates.

“This is the same technology based on adenoviral vectors, where a new sequence is synthesized literally within a day by the sequence of a spike protein with a changed primary structure, and the next day it is inserted into the used vector, and practically you have a genetically engineered design, which allows it to be used as a vaccine preparation is ready, ”said Gunzburg.

According to him, the question is now being discussed whether it is necessary to carry out all the phases of testing the modified vaccine.

The specialist explained that there is a global practice of testing drugs on a limited sample - and if a substance gives the same adequate protective effect, but against a new strain, it can be put into production.

Gunzburg expressed the hope that similar acts would be adopted in Russia, approving such a procedure.

He also mentioned that the Sputnik V vaccine provides protection against known new strains of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

“Tested against the British strain - 100% protection.

There is also protection against the South African strain and we are continuing to study it, ”he said.

Along with this, he expressed the assumption that 60% of citizens will be vaccinated against coronavirus in Russia by the end of summer.

According to the scientist, many media outlets have joined the information campaign about the importance of vaccination, and this work should yield results.

The head of the Gamaleya Center believes that the COVID-19 pandemic will not be defeated by autumn, but in Russia the situation will be controlled by vaccination.

“We will not defeat the pandemic by the fall, but we can make the process within our country vaccine-manageable, it is quite realistic, there is such a goal, and I am sure that we will achieve it,” said Gunzburg.

Latest incidence data

Over the past day, 8,792 new cases of coronavirus have been detected in Russia.

During this time, 9832 people fully recovered, 400 died from complications that developed against the background of COVID-19 and concomitant diseases.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 4,563,056 cases of coronavirus have been reported in the country.

4 186 251 patients recovered, 99 633 died.

According to Rospotrebnadzor, over the entire period, almost 121 million tests for coronavirus were carried out in the Russian Federation, including 359 thousand in the last day.

About 490 thousand people remain under medical supervision.

Earlier, the department said that it is too early to talk about the abolition of the mask regime and easing the restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus in Russia.

“It’s premature for us to talk about removing masks and other indulgences if we do not want to see an increase in the incidence rate, as in Europe,” Natalia Pshenichnaya, director for clinical and analytical work of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor, quotes TASS.

The specialist also mentioned that vaccination plays an important role in preventing the spread of COVID-19. According to her, the sooner Russians develop collective immunity to coronavirus, "the sooner it will be possible to declare victory over the infection."