According to a recent study, the Russian vaccination Sputnik V is twice as effective as Pfizer against the COVID-19 Omicron strain.
The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) undertook a comparative research at Italy’s Spallanzani Institute, which showed that the “Sputnik V shot more than twice the level of titers of virus-neutralizing antibodies to Omicron variant than two doses of the Comirnaty vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech.”
The research was carried out by a joint Italian-Russian research team from the institute and the Gamaleya Center in Moscow.
“The Russian jab develops a wider pool of antibodies to different epitopes, in contrast to Pfizer vaccine, which utilizes the spike protein in a proline-stabilized form directed mainly to the specific epitopes that were highly affected by the mutations in the Omicron variant,” the study published by the RDIF said.
“Heterologous prime-boost vaccination regimen of Sputnik and better mimicking of adenoviral vaccine platform of the infection were also cited as factors for the effectiveness of the Russian jab,” it added.
The facts, according to the RDIF, back up the findings of a laboratory research that Sputnik V neutralizes the Omicron form by eliciting a strong antibody response with high levels of protection, which is bolstered by Sputnik Light booster.
The Sputnik team has also teamed up with other vaccine companies to perform joint trials in a number of nations, according to the report.
In five regions in Argentina, for example, a mix-and-match experiment of Sputnik Light with vaccines from AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Moderna, and Cansino found that Sputnik Light elicits a greater antibody and T-cell response than two doses of the same vaccine.
“Each vaccine cocktail combination with Sputnik Light provided a higher antibody titer on the 14th day after administering a second dose when compared to original homogenous (same vaccine as first and second dose) regimens of each of the vaccines,” it added.
The Sputnik team has asked for quick global, open comparison trials of Sputnik Light and alternative booster shots, citing the fact that “deterring these comparative mix-and-match studies will delay the end of the pandemic.”
To read our blog on “Omicron could bring more deadly variants, Scientist’s fear,” click here.
