Russian Health Ministry Approves Modified Composition of Sputnik Light COVID-19 Vaccine

The Russian Health Ministry has approved the modified composition of the Sputnik Light vaccine against COVID-19, with the updated version expected to be shipped to Russian regions early next week, Alexander Gintsburg, the director of Moscow-based Gamaleya National Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, said on Sunday.

“The health ministry has approved everything, the changes [in the vaccine composition] have been reflected in the package insert … I think this [the shipment of 135,000 doses of the vaccine to Russia’s regions] will take place later on Monday or on Tuesday,” Gintsburg told Sputnik.

He added that all 135,000 doses of the vaccine were ready for the shipment.
The Gamaleya National Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology is known for developing Sputnik V, Russia’s pioneer COVID-19 vaccine, registered in August 2020. In addition to the single-dose Sputnik Light version, the original two-dose Sputnik V also has a version for teenagers, Sputnik M. Sputnik V has been approved in 71 countries with a combined population of over 4 billion.