FILE A picture taken on July 2, 2021 shows a box containing vials of the one-dose Russia’s Sputnik Light COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination centre in Sokolniki park in Moscow on July 2, 2021. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — The single-dose Sputnik Light COVID-19 vaccine is a “good candidate” for a booster shot, members of the country’s Vaccine Expert Panel (VEP) said Tuesday.
“Sputnik Light is a good candidate for the boosting vaccine. After initial vaccination or natural infection, it can be used in revaccination regimens,” VEP member Dr. Ma. Liza Gonzales said in an online media forum of the Department of Health (DOH) about the Russian-made vaccine.
“Can it be useful as a booster? I think the studies would show that it would. It would actually enhance the immune response in those who were previously vaccinated and in fact, higher pa ang (there is higher) response in those who were previously infected. So whether infected or not and given primary immunization, I think the Sputnik [Light] would be a good booster to be given,” she added.
Russian vaccine maker Gamaleya Institute applied for the emergency use authorization (EUA) of Sputnik Light, the single-dose version of the original Sputnik V, in August last year. It was granted an EUA in the same month.
Meanwhile, according to Dr. Derick Sumalapao, “revaccination” with Sputnik Light for those initially vaccinated with Sputnik V also provided neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron variant based on studies.
“Based on one of the studies that we reviewed, the administration of Sputnik Light as a revaccination to individuals who were already vaccinated with Sputnik V, they elicited neutralizing antibodies to the Omicron variant although there is a decrease in the neutralizing antibody level,” he said.
“But the good thing is there is a presence of such a neutralizing antibody to Omicron variant among the study participants who were revaccinated with the Sputnik Light when they were vaccinated initially with Sputnik V,” he noted.
However, Gonzales pointed out that the efficacy of vaccines against variants of concern is generally lower. Nevertheless, health experts have stressed that vaccines continue to provide protection against severe COVID-19.
“In general, I think what we observed is that following natural infection and after vaccination with any COVID-19 vaccine, there is really waning of antibody titers over time. And in general, the neutralizing antibody titers that we have compared to the original Wuhan strain following any vaccine is generally lower against the variants,” Gonzales said.
“But even after having said that, vaccination would actually overcome or would still result in neutralizing antibodies that are still active against the variants,” she added.
Gonzales also noted that Sputnik Light can be effective as a booster shot for two doses of Sputnik V.
“I think that there is no reason to say that giving Sputnik as a booster will not be effective. I think it can be given as a booster in those who were previously given Sputnik V and in fact, may (there are) shared studies where they did exactly that. They have Sputnik Light as a booster following those who were given Sputnik V as primary vaccination. Yes, I think it can be used as a booster in those who were given Sputnik V as primary [doses],” she went on.
The FDA approved in November last year four vaccine brands to be used as booster shots for fully vaccinated individuals. These are Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Sinovac, and Sputnik.
According to the FDA, Sputnik Light can be provided as a booster shot regardless of the brand of the first two doses.
Under DOH guidelines as of December, homologous doses (same brand) will be available to those who received Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Moderna as their first two doses.
READ: Adults can have booster shots starting Dec. 3 – DOH
As for heterologous doses (mixed brand), the DOH said AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Moderna vaccines could be administered as booster shots for those who were vaccinated with Sinovac, Sputnik V, and Janssen. Pfizer and Moderna shots may also be given to those vaccinated with AstraZeneca; Moderna and AstraZeneca for those inoculated with Pfizer; and Pfizer and AstraZeneca for those who got Moderna shots.