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J’apura University initiates research on Sputnik-V vaccine following concerns on dosage
Following heated debates and discussions on whether people should receive a single dose or both doses of the Sputnik-V vaccine, a team at the Jayawardenepura University has commenced research on the Russian vaccine's efficacy, Dr Chandima Jeewandara, the Director at Allergy, Immunology and Cell Biology Unit of the University said.
Speaking to Daily Mirror, he said they extended their research to investigate the immune responses in individuals who receive the COVID-19 vaccines and added they would get blood samples from people as a base line today (01) prior to vaccination.
“We believe that we need our own research in this regard to get more clearer picture and that’s why we started a research,
At present, there is no data to support that a single dose of Sputnik-V would give complete protection. However, manufacturers announced that the one-dose version of the vaccine, called Sputnik Light, is authorized for emergency use and provides an efficacy of 79.4 percent," Dr Jeewandara highlighted.
"But the first shot of Sputnik V uses the same common cold virus as the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which already has been approved for use in the United States and other countries and has been shown to be safe and effective, with an efficacy of 72 percent in the United States," he said.
"Vaccines work by exposing the immune system to recognisable parts. The immune system then mounts a response. For certain vaccines, it requires two doses, as in some people the first dose alone won’t generate complete immunity. The booster dose (second dose) ensures as many people as possible acquire protection," Dr Jeewandara explained.
"Accordingly, this is applicable to the Sputnik-V as well and that’s why it has been registered as two dose vaccine," he added.
"Moreover, in a pandemic situation, it is not good to keep the vaccines in freezers. Hence, it has to be somehow given to people rather waiting for assurance for a second dose to give the first dose because administering even a single dose will help prevent a death of one person,” Dr Jeewandara pointed out.
He also said that even the World Health Organization (WHO) had recommended that vaccinating with a single dose is a rational way of vaccination rather than waiting for both doses.
“I am of the opinion that it is good to give the Sputnik-V vaccine to eligible people rather than keeping them in freezers so that it will prevent people going into severe disease and death,” he underlined.
“However, we need more data and research to say that the Sputnik-V would provide complete protection with its first dose.” he stressed.
"We believe it would be extremely beneficial to us to have our own data rather than relying studies done by others on vaccines," he opined.
Thus, Dr Jeewandara said the information generated from this study would give them important insights to determine efficacy of Sputnik-V vaccine. (Sheain Fernandopulle)
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