The Sputnik V CoViD-19 Vaccine by Russia

January 5, 2020 when WHO announces on every news entity worldwide that a new infectious disease is emerging and it is one of the deadliest virus discovered so far.

As of this writing, 12th of August, there are more than 20 million infected worldwide by this Corona Virus Disease or commonly known as CoViD-19. There are 12.5 million who recovered from the disease but humanity was strucked by 740 thousand deaths.

United States, Brazil and India have the most number of cases. 

The world hasn't developed a cure so far, and the race is On. Every developed country is trying their best to come on top developing a vaccine to combat this Pandemic. Would you believe that there are more than 150 countries who are engaged in CoViD-19 Vaccine?

According to WHO, seventy-five countries submit expressions of interest to COVAX Facility, joining up to 90 further countries which could be supported by the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC).

The COVAX Facility, and the AMC within it, is designed to guarantee rapid, fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for every country in the world, rich and poor, to make rapid progress towards slowing the pandemic.

Interest from governments representing more than 60% of the world’s population offers ‘tremendous vote of confidence’ in the effort to ensure truly global access to COVID-19 vaccines, once developed.

Could Russia beat everybody else to find the Cure? 

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (August 11) announced the approval of a coronavirus vaccine for use, claiming it as a "world first.” They are calling it, "The Sputnik V" in reference to the world's first artificial satellite, launched during the space race.

Russian officials have pledged to administer the possible vaccine to millions of people this summer and fall — including tens of thousands of teachers and front-line health-care workers in the coming weeks, before even finishing clinical trials. The formula was developed by the Gamaleya Institute in Moscow.

Several US health leaders and vaccine experts have expressed skepticism about whether the vaccine has been proven to be safe and effective. No data from human trials of the vaccine has been released, and it has not yet gone through large Phase 3 trials. 

Russia’s Health Ministry did not respond to requests for comment, and the Gamaleya Institute referred an interview request to the ministry.

Konstantin Chumakov, a member of the Global Virus Network, an international coalition working on viral threats, said “it is scientifically impossible to prove efficacy” without widespread trials, known as Phase 3.

“Using it in general population before the results of Phase 3 trials are fully studied is a gamble,” he said. “A Russian roulette, if you will.”

Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte

“I will volunteer to receive it in public. I will be the first to be experimented on”

The Phase 3 Trials is the third step in testing an experimental drug (or other treatment) in humans. Phase 3 trials are conducted to confirm and expand on safety and effectiveness results from Phase 1 and 2 trials, to compare the drug to standard therapies for the disease or condition being studied, and to evaluate the overall risks and benefits of the drug. This trial phase recruits a large group of people with the disease or condition, usually ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 participants. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviews results from Phase 3 trials when considering a drug for approval.

“I will volunteer to receive it in public. I will be the first to be experimented on,” Duterte said during his address to the nation late Monday broadcast by state-run RTVM.  

"I believe that the vaccine that (Russia has) produced is really good for humanity,” Duterte said, “By December... we will hopefully have a Covid-free December." 

Duterte went on to say that his country would get priority access to the vaccine because of its relationship with Russia. 

Well personally my three cent on this is, this might not the best answer we're lokking for, at least we're having progress. This, along with other Vaccines under clinical trials, next to our Powerful Prayers, are the most important weapon for this Humanity to win this war against CoViD-19.

Cheerio!