Russia sees no hurdles for approval of Sputnik V vaccine by WHO

All the barriers to register Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine with the WHO have been cleared and only some paperwork remains to be completed, Mikhail Murashko, Health Minister, Russia, said last week. The Sputnik V shot, widely used in Russia and approved for use in over 70 countries, is undergoing a review by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Their approval could open up new markets for the shot, especially in Europe.

Murashko has met Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, WHO, in Geneva. Russia’s position on promotion and registration of the Sputnik V vaccine was heard, and they had removed all the questions for that day, as per Murashko.

He said that the firm which is dealing with Sputnik V registration at WHO only “has to sign a few documents and submit a few additional papers.” The WHO could not be immediately reached for comment.

The WHO said in July its review of how Russia produces the Sputnik V vaccine had found some issues with the filling of vials at one plant. The manufacturer said it had since addressed all of the WHO’s concerns.