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In response to a study published in The Lancet, British researchers said that the United Kingdom (UK) should be more cautious in criticizing vaccines from other countries.
Only 16 of the 16,500 people who received two doses of Sputnik V experienced coronavirus symptoms, but none died and no one needed medical attention. Russia’s immunization ambitions have also been boosted by the fact that the efficacy of a single dose of the vaccine is 74 percent.
In comparison, the vaccine, developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca, is 70% even after two doses. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are 95% effective. However, direct comparisons of studies conducted in different countries are difficult due to different research methods and standards.
Responding to the study’s results, Julian Tang, a virologist at the University of Leicester, said: “This Russian Sputnik V <...> appears to be more effective after two doses (91.6%) than the Oxford and AstraZeneca vaccines. “
The Sputnik V vaccine, named after a Soviet space satellite, has come under widespread criticism after Vladimir Putin gave permission to launch a massive vaccine last August without a full analysis of clinical trial results. It is true that the vaccine is not yet available throughout the country.
Leading UK scientists and politicians have condemned the Kremlin’s decision because insufficient evidence has been gathered that the vaccine is effective and safe. They accused Putin of trying to improve Russia’s international position.
A month later, British spies accused the Kremlin of organizing a cyber attack against researchers at the University of Oxford who were developing a nearly identical vaccine. It was feared that Moscow had misappropriated information from the United Kingdom.
The UK government, which has spent nearly two billion pounds, pre-ordered 407 million. doses of vaccines from seven different pharmaceutical companies, so far assured that they do not plan to buy them in Russia.
However, this did not stop more than 50 states from placing their orders. The Russian vaccine has been purchased by some countries in South America, India, South Korea, Belarus, and Hungary.
One dose costs about 8 euros
A dose of Sputnik V costs around € 8 and is one of the cheapest coronavirus vaccines on the market. For example, a dose of the Pfizer vaccine costs around € 17 and Moderna costs around € 28. The cheapest is the Oxford and AstraZeneca vaccine, which costs € 3.
The Russian vaccine contains adenovirus. This means that it uses an attenuated cold-causing virus that has been modified so that it does not cause illness.
Researchers have already used this technology to develop vaccines against various diseases such as the flu, Zika virus, and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).
After vaccination, adenoviruses enter cells and travel to their nucleus, where the cell’s DNA is stored. The vaccine is the genetic code for the coronavirus needle protein. This protein helps the virus spread throughout the body.
Julian Tang, a virologist at the University of Leicester, further commented: “So despite previous fears that the Sputnik V vaccine would have been approved before enough data from third-party clinical trials were released, we can now partially justify this decision. “.
“Yes, openly, similar pandemic commitments have been made in the UK, for example by extending the period between two doses of the vaccine or approving the vaccination of people over 55 with Oxford and AstraZeneca, despite a lack of sufficient data of phase III clinical trials to justify such decisions, he said. “We must try not to be too critical when evaluating vaccine development or vaccination programs in other countries.”
Finally, the researcher added: “In terms of this, I look forward to seeing similar studies of the Chinese vaccines Sinovac and Sinopharm, as well as hearing that the Oxford AstraZeneca and Russian Sputnik V teams are working together to improve and maintain their Covid vaccines. 19 efficiency “.
The study has been carried out since 2020. September 7 to November 24. A total of 21,977 adults participated in the study, of whom 16,501 received the actual vaccine and the remaining 5,476 received the placebo.
After 48 days, only 16 cases of coronavirus were confirmed in the vaccine group. 2,144 people over the age of 60 also participated in the study. In this group, the efficacy of the vaccine was 91.8 percent.
Alexander Edwards, associate professor of biomedical technology at the University of Reading, said: “The increasing number of cases in areas where third-stage clinical trials are taking place is leading to more and more data. This inspires us to believe that vaccines will help to rapidly reduce mortality from coronavirus. “
“The more data we have, the better we understand how vaccines should be made and used, so we are eager to see the results.” And here are some really interesting facts, ”said the associate professor.
Four deaths were recorded during the study: three in the vaccinated group and one in the control group.
In the group of people who received the vaccine, one person died from his injuries. The other two had other health problems and began to show symptoms of the virus 4 to 5 days after vaccination.
Both participants are believed to have been infected with coronavirus prior to vaccination.
One death in the control group is related to stroke. No deaths are believed to be related to the vaccine.
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