Russian vaccine Sputnik V approved for travelers by Australia
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Australia adds the Russian Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik V to the list of its approved vaccines for international travel.
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Two doses of Sputnik V demonstrated an 89% efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19 infection.
Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has recognized Monday the two-dose course of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 as an acceptable form of coronavirus vaccination for travelers.
"Today, the TGA determined that an additional COVID-19 vaccine, the two-dose course of the Gamaleya Institute vaccine (Sputnik V, Russian Federation) would be 'recognized' for the purpose of establishing a traveler's vaccination status," the TGA said in a statement.
The Administration explained that additional data on the Russian vaccine’s effectiveness showed that two doses of Sputnik V demonstrated an average efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19 infection of 89 percent and against hospitalization or death of 98-100 percent.
"The single-dose course of the Gamaleya vaccine ('Sputnik Light') is not currently recognized by the TGA," the Australian regulator specified.
The Australian Department of Home Affairs subsequently updated the vaccination requirements for travelers on its website, adding Sputnik V to the list of approved vaccines, specifying that two doses of the Russian vaccine are needed, at least 14 days apart.
This comes as scientists are warning that the wide and fast-spreading Omicron is an indicator that it will not be COVID-19's last variant.
