Congo's Ministry of Health has registered a Russian single-component vaccine against coronavirus infection Sputnik Light, according to the website of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF).

"Sputnik Lite" is the first component of the Sputnik V vaccine. The efficacy of this drug after 4 weeks of immunization is 79.4%.

According to Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the foundation, registration of the domestic drug in Congo will increase the national portfolio of vaccines against the disease.

"The two-component Sputnik V vaccine has already been approved in the country previously. We welcome the Ministry of Health's decision to also approve Sputnik Light, which will provide the Republic of Congo with access to another safe, effective and affordable Russian vaccine," he said.

The calculation of the effectiveness of the single-component drug was based on the data of the Russians who were vaccinated with only the first shot as part of the vaccination. The RDIF noted that the efficacy rate of nearly 80% exceeds that of many other vaccines which require two shots.

In March, the Congolese Ministry of Health had already registered the two-component Sputnik V vaccine under an accelerated procedure.

To date, Sputnik V has been approved for use in 67 countries with more than 3.5 billion inhabitants.

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Author: Ksenia Gustova