Russia announced that it may approve a new vaccine named "Sputnik Light" next May, which is a version of the Russian vaccine for COVID-19 but with a single dose. Last March, the Health Ministry registered the Sputnik Light vaccine after stating that clinical trials for the rapid vaccine, described as a possible temporary solution to assist countries with high infection rates in advancing their vaccination efforts, were successful. Moscow indicated that the Russian vaccine (Sputnik V), which is administered in two doses, will remain the primary vaccine used in Russia.
**Nasal Vaccine**
This announcement follows declarations by Russian academic Alexander Ginsburg, head of the Gamaleya Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, about the commencement of preclinical trials for a nasal vaccine against the coronavirus. According to the epidemiologist, as reported by Russian media, this nasal-drop vaccine does not even cause any mild side effects and he states, "This is a local use vaccine that will not even cause a rise in body temperature."
He added that "clinical trials will start by the end of this year for a new drug for treating COVID-19 based on antibodies. The innovators will try to make this medication affordable for everyone, and it will be administered to patients in hospitals and medical clinics." Ginsburg explained to the Russian news agency "Novosti" that "this drug will assist patients with severe cases of COVID-19, which currently end in fatalities, thus sharply reducing the mortality rate from this disease."
