The Chumakov Center called the effectiveness of “KoviVak” against “omicron”

Center them. Chumakova: CoviVac vaccine is preliminary effective against Omicron by 62%

Preliminary studies indicate a 62% effectiveness of the drug “KoviVak”, said its developer – the Center. Chumakova, warning about the complexity of clinical research on this issue due to the lack of information

The effectiveness of the Russian coronavirus vaccine “KoviVak” against the omicron strain of infection is, according to preliminary data, “about 62%.” This was stated by the general director of the developer of the drug – the Center. Chumakova, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Aidar Ishmukhametov broadcast TV channel “Russia 24”.

“Well, this is about 62% today, according to our data,” said the head of the Center. Chumakov.

Ishmukhametov said that due to the lack of data, the studies are “more of a laboratory, preclinical nature.” He acknowledged that the effectiveness of the vaccine in the case of “omicron” is indeed reduced.

The scientist also advised using vaccines on different platforms for booster vaccination, noting that “the end result is not yet completely clear,” as researchers in Russia and around the world are still studying the “delayed effects” of vaccination.

The WHO and Rospotrebnadzor previously admitted that the omicron strain could reduce the effectiveness of previously released coronavirus vaccines. As explained by the WHO, this may be due to the fact that the antigenic profile of the Omicron protein has changed significantly compared to previous strains.

In early January, Pfizer and Moderna announced their intention to release vaccines adapted to Omicron. The intention to modify the drug was also announced by AstraZeneca.

At the Center. N.F. Gamalei, who developed the Sputnik V vaccine, do not see the need to modify the drug for Omicron. As director Alexander Gintsburg explained, Pfizer and Moderna will produce adapted versions of vaccines due to the fixed conformation (spatial arrangement of atoms in a molecule of a certain configuration) of the S-protein, it is effective against the original version of COVID-19 that appeared in Wuhan.

“We have a non-fixed one in Sputnik, it bends all over like a snake. And therefore, the number of specific antibodies in those vaccinated with Sputnik is much greater in latitude, ”said the scientist. According to him, the effectiveness of the drug in the case of “omicron” is 75%.