Sputnik V trials: 1 in 7 volunteers report side effects, says Russia health minister

The volunteers reported muscle pain and weakness

HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS/OXFORD-VACCINE

One in seven people who received Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine as part of clinical trials, experienced side effects such as muscle pain and weakness, said Mikhail Murashko, the country’s health minister. The vaccine was developed by Gamaleya Research Institute and the Russian defence ministry.

Russia gave the go-ahead for the vaccine even as large scale clinical trials were pending.

As many as 300 volunteers have been vaccinated with Sputnik V so far. “Approximately 14 per cent have small complaints of weakness, muscle pain for 24 hours and an occasional increase in body temperature,” TASS, the state-run news agency, quoted Murashko as saying.

Those who participated in the human trials will receive a booster dose within 21 days. According to the Russian health ministry, the vaccine will offer protection from COVID-19 for up to two years.

Phase 3 clinical trials of Sputnik V, which is the world’s first registered vaccine against the pandemic, are currently under way. It involves more than 40,000 people.

Meanwhile, India is planning to conduct a clinical trial of Sputnik V. News agency PTI has reported that India is "exploring the possibility of cooperation between the two countries for advancing the COVID-19 vaccine in the country.’’

Russia had said it would sell 100 million doses of Sputnik V to India.

Russian Direct Investment Fund has signed a deal with Hyderabad-based Dr. Reddy's Laboratories in this regard. The firm will conduct a clinical trial and distribute the vaccine in India.

The vaccine will be made available in India by December if things go as per plan and the clinical trials are successful.

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