Ómicron: Sputnik V creators say they can adapt vaccine to new variant in 45 days

The creators of the vaccine Sputnik V can adapt it to the omicron variant of the coronavirus in 45 days, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (FIDR), in charge of distributing the drug, announced on Monday.

According to a statement from FIDR, it is “unlikely” that a vaccine modification will be needed, since both Sputnik V as its single-dose version Sputnik Light are able to “neutralize” the omicron, as they have been shown to be “highly effective against other mutations.”

However, in the event that there is a need to market a modified version of the Sputnik, this could be available in 45 days.

“The new version of Sputnik against omicron may be ready for mass production in 45 days”, specifies the Russian sovereign wealth fund.

While, “Hundreds of millions of booster doses of Sputnik against omicron may hit international markets by February 20, 2022.”

Russia has not yet detected any case of omicronBut it has restricted flights from Hong Kong and some southern African countries.

The Kremlin said on Monday that the authorities’ future steps with respect to the omicron will depend on the conclusions that scientists draw about the threat of the new variant and its consequences.

The Russian Sputnik V vaccine, which is pending authorization from the World Health Organization and the European Medicines Agency, has been registered in more than 70 countries, including several in Latin America.

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