[ad_1]
DThe “V” in the name of the Russian corona vaccine Sputnik V does not mean “five” or “vaccine.” It means “Victoria” (in English: victory), as in the official Twitter account of the vaccine. was communicated. With the temporary suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine, the debate about Sputnik V has flared up again. More recently, the heads of state of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia demanded European approval. WELT clarifies the most important questions about the vaccine and other candidates.
What is the status of European approval?
Russia had already approved Sputnik V in August 2020, as the world’s first vaccine against the coronavirus. The clinical studies were not yet finished at this time. Internationally, Russia’s advance has been criticized as a “propaganda coup.” However, some countries showed early interest in the vaccine. According to Russian information, it is now approved in 51 countries, including Hungary.
Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) also campaigned for the Russian vaccine, despite political tensions surrounding Kremlin critic Alexej Navalny. However, he insisted that Sputnik had to go through the regular approval process in Europe. Earlier this year, he telephoned Russian President Vladimir Putin to find out how the German Paul Ehrlich Institute can support the request for approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
However, approval by the EMA is slow, which is apparently also due to Russia itself. In mid-February, the authority announced that it had not yet received a request for approval from the Russian vaccine company. It wasn’t until March that the authority began the so-called ongoing review, a process that aims to speed up approval.
“The Russian vaccine is obviously the best in the world”
The Kremlin’s propaganda apparatus describes the deliveries in more than 40 countries as the triumphant advance of the Russian crown vaccine. The state news agency “TASS” is sending self-assured statements from the head of the Kremlin on a loop.
Source: WELT / Christoph Wanner
The results of the candidate vaccine study are evaluated before all the necessary data for the approval application are available. The total duration of the test cannot be predicted, it says there.
Why has Germany not yet ordered doses of the Sputnik V vaccine?
“There is nothing against receiving a vaccine with European approval,” said a spokesman for the Ministry of Health. In fact, the previously approved Biontech / Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines were ordered prior to EMA approval.
Curevac’s previously unapproved vaccine was also ordered. A total of around 300 million cans was ordered for Germany, but all manufacturers repeatedly experience delays in delivery.
Thuringian Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow (left) criticizes the fact that Sputnik-V orders have not yet been prepared. “I just don’t understand why they don’t draw up a framework agreement for Sputnik V to agree with suppliers in Russia what quantities we would take as soon as the vaccine is approved,” he told WELT. “The failure of AstraZeneca shows the Achilles heel that we have to be able to immunize the population.”
You know enough people who would like to get vaccinated with Sputnik V, says Ramelow. This should not be avoided “because a large number of West Germans have reservations.” “This is not about ideologies, Putin, human rights or barrel bombs in Syria. It is a Russian science that offers people an offer after approval. “
Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) said on Thursday that Europe should not wait until the vaccine is approved in terms of negotiations for Sputnik V deliveries. “It could be that the process can be sped up.” Michael Müller (SPD), Mayor of Berlin, said: “If we have the opportunity to turn to Sputnik, of course we will accept it.” The Russian authorities have already done so. announced that from June they could supply cans to 50 million people in the EU.
Is Sputnik V also produced in Germany?
Russia is expanding its production capacity. Agreements for the production of the vaccine have been made in Germany and other European countries, said the head of the state direct investment fund RDIF, Kirill Dmitriev.
In Germany, a subsidiary of the Russian Pharm Group could boost production of Sputnik V, as reported by the German publishing network. The Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, Andreas Feicht (CDU), recently confirmed the talks and was “quite open”. “It should be quickly clarified whether we can also produce Sputnik V in Germany,” Ramelow said.
How does Sputnik V work?
Genetically modified harmless adenoviruses serve as a vector. With vaccination, the body reacts to the genetic information contained in the corona pathogen. In this way, an immune defense can be built. The AstraZeneca vaccine works in a similar way.
However, Sputnik V uses two different vectors, AstraZeneca only one. According to a study by Russian researchers, the vaccine shows an efficacy of almost 92 percent.
What are the known side effects of Sputnik V?
Most of the volunteers in the study only reported flu-like symptoms and arm pain after vaccination. A volunteer suffered a stroke. According to the researchers, four deaths during are not related to vaccination.
SPD health politician Karl Lauterbach sees a “flaw” in the Sputnik V data. As for effectiveness, they are good, “Maischberger” said on the ARD program on Wednesday. But he cautioned: “The side effects that are described are unrealistically small.”
What vaccines could still be approved?
Tübingen-based biotech company Curevac awaits approval of its corona vaccine at the end of June. Germany has already secured 54.1 million cans through the EU and an option for 20 million more cans. CoronaVac vaccine from Chinese manufacturer Sinovac achieved a protective effect of only about 50 percent in a late phase 3 study.
The Sinovac Vero vaccine is said to offer approximately 79 percent protection. Serbia is the first European country to have already inoculated the substance. Sanofi does not wait for approval until the fourth quarter of the year. The EU Commission had already obtained up to 300 million cans from the French manufacturer.
[ad_2]
