WASHINGTON, February 3. /TASS/. Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine plays an important role in fighting against the pandemic worldwide thanks to its clear advantage, Associate Professor of Virology and Vaccinology at the University of Connecticut Paulo Verardi told TASS.

The expert commented on an article published by The Lancet journal on the Russian vaccine. "This is great news because unlike other COVID-19 recombinant adenovirus vaccines, Sputnik V is based on a prime-boost strategy with two different recombinant vaccine vectors, first adenovirus 26 followed by adenovirus 5," Verardi told TASS. A prime-boost immunization implies two-stage vaccination: the first vaccine dose launches an immune response and the second one strengthens it.

According to the scientist, who works at the University’s Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research (CEVR), "this strategy prevents immunity generated against the first vector (adenovirus 26) to interfere with the second vaccine dose, which is a clear advantage."

"We need as many vaccines as possible to control COVID-19 worldwide, and now that clinical data shows an efficacy of 91.6%, I expect Sputnik V to be a major player in this effort," he said.

Earlier, The Lancet published the results of Phase Three clinical trials of the Russian vaccine according to which it is one of the safest and most effective ones worldwide. The efficacy of the preparation amounted to 91.6%, among volunteers over 60 - to 91.8%. Antibodies to the coronavirus after inoculation with Sputnik V were detected in 98% of volunteers.