WHO postpones planned inspection of Sputnik V in Russia

The World Health Organization (WHO) scheduled to visit Russia on March 7 to assess the facilities regarding the Russian application for the inclusion of the Sputnik V vaccine in the list of drugs recommended for emergency use in a pandemic. However, the inspections were postponed due to the "uneven situation", WHO Assistant Director General Mariangela Simao said.

"These inspections were postponed for a later date," Simao said. "The assessment, along with inspections, have been affected because of the situation," she noted, adding that booking flights had been difficult and that there had been issues with credit cards "and some more operational issues."

"This [issue] has been discussed with the Russian applicants and new dates will be set as soon as possible," Simao assured.

Sputnik V was registered in Russia on August 11, 2020, becoming the world’s first officially registered coronavirus vaccine. It is also the first jab on the adenovirus platform developed under the heterogeneous boosting technology (vaccine cocktail). Two different vectors for the two vaccine doses ensure a stronger and longer immune response.