COVID-19: Cost of Russia’s Sputnik V Vaccine Will Be Less Than $10 Per Dose, First International Deliveries in Jan 2021

Moscow: The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, today announced that the cost of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine for international markets will be less than $10 per dose starting from February 2021, which is less than $20 for the two doses necessary to vaccinate one person.

In a statement, the RDIF said that the Sputnik V will be two or more times cheaper than foreign vaccines based on mRNA technology with similar efficacy rates.

For Russian citizens, vaccination with Sputnik V will be free of charge, it added.

The uniqueness of the Russian vaccine lies in the use of two different vectors based on the human adenovirus, which allows for a stronger and longer-term immune response as compared to vaccines using one and same vector for two doses.

Currently, RDIF and partners have launched production of the lyophilized (dry) form of the vaccine, which is stored at a temperature of +2 to +8 degrees Celsius. Such a regime enables the distribution of the vaccine in international markets, as well as expanding its use in hard-to-reach regions, including areas with tropical climates.

Current agreements between RDIF and leading foreign pharmaceutical companies allow production of the vaccine abroad for 500 million people per year starting from 2021. RDIF is currently considering additional applications from a number of countries and companies to further increase production capacity.

The first foreign deliveries of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine will be made to customers in January 2021 based on existing partnerships with foreign manufacturers. Those customers, who have recently submitted their requests, will be able to receive the first batches of the vaccine starting from March 2021.