Russian scientists say they are studying the Sputnik V vaccine efficacy against a mutated form of the Delta coronavirus variant discovered recently in Moscow.
“We are currently identifying a range of variants which are circulating in Moscow. And here there is far from just the Wuhan strain, there is also a mutated version of the Indian strain,” Gamaleya Institute director Alexander Gintsburg tells the Interfax news agency.
“We are now studying Sputnik V’s efficacy against these variants.”
The development comes amid a sharp rise in the number of new recorded cases in Moscow and other parts of Russia.
Moscow’s mayor says the Russian capital is experiencing an “explosive growth” in Covid-19 cases, with the number of patients seriously ill in hospital increasing by 70% in recent days.
And yesterday Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed concern at the sluggish pace of Russia’s vaccination campaign, saying it “left much to be desired”.
Around 12.8% of the population has received at least one jab, with 9.9% fully vaccinated, website Statistika-Vakcinacii.ru, which has been publishing daily updates based on figures collated from regional health authorities, says.
Employers are required to make sure at least 60% of staff in service industries such as retail, hospitality, and entertainment have been vaccinated.
