Russia's Sputnik V loses less protection against Omicron than Pfizer's COVID-19 shot

Portfolio
Russia's Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine shows strong protection against the Omicron variant (B.1.1.259), with more than twice the virus neutralizing activity of Pfizer's Comirnaty vaccine, according to the results of a comparative study by the Lazzaro Spallanzani Institute in Rome and the vaccine manufacturer Gamaleya Center, published in the journal medRxiv.
koronavírus vakcina szputnyik orosz oltás getty stock

According to the paper authored by a team of 12 Italian and 9 Russian scientists, Sputnik V shows an 8.1-fold reduction in viral neutralising activity against Omicron compared to the reference variant in Wuhan, compared to a 21.4-fold reduction in the Pfizer vaccine. Consequently, the study concluded that Sputnik V induces a significant antibody response against the Omicron variant.

"Analysis showed that 74.2% of Sputnik V- and 56.9% of Comirnaty-vaccinated sera had detectable NtAb to SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant," the study found.

Previous studies have shown a significant increase in protection against Omicron after a booster dose of Sputnik Light. The vaccine can also be used in combination with other vaccines as a third vaccine.

The decrease in NtAb to SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant compared to Wuhan variant has been shown for many COVID-19 vaccines in use, with some showing no neutralization at all. Today the necessity of third booster vaccination is obvious. And the most effective approach, already shown in several studies, is the use of heterologous booster vaccination pioneered in COVID-19 vaccines by Sputnik V.

Cover photo: Getty Images

 

More in Economy

dolgozo
July 09, 2025 16:00

Hungarian government reacts to the increase in the number of foreign workers

Why are there more of them? Because there are fewer of them.

Car factory-autógyár-automatizálás-dolgozó-gyártás-gyártócsarnok-ipar-járműgyártás-karosszéria-robotika-technológia
July 09, 2025 09:40

Hungarians keep getting the boot, while foreign workers are being recruited en masse

Why are there more and more foreign workers in Hungary?

lyuk deficit baleset kátyú
July 08, 2025 16:38

Public spending on the rise in Hungary, government will miss important targets

Gear up for a higher-than-planned budget deficit

eu-magyar magyar-eu, eu-magyarország
July 08, 2025 14:03

EU temporarily eases financial rigour on Hungary, but with one condition

Escape clause activated, defence spending must be increased

July 08, 2025 13:07

Price of diesel to be raised further in Hungary

On Wednesday

forint pénzköteg bankjegy
July 08, 2025 12:46

Hungary posts surprise budget surplus in June

But there's an explanation

LATEST NEWS

Detailed search