WHO did not rule out a request for additional data on Sputnik V

The World Health Organization (WHO) does not exclude the request for additional information about the Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V as part of the consideration of an application for its inclusion in the list of drugs recommended for emergency use. This was reported to TASS in the press service of the WHO in Geneva.

The WHO confirmed receipt of data on the drug, which the organization expected until the end of January. “Additional data may be requested as part of the analysis process,” the WHO press service added.

At the same time, the agency notes, the press service did not give a direct answer to the question of whether a WHO inspection in Russia is planned for February as part of the Sputnik approval procedure, explaining that “the applicant will be informed about the decision on the need for a verification inspection.”

Such a decision is made after studying the application and confirming the correction of previously identified shortcomings. “As the process is still ongoing, the details must remain confidential. The recommendations will be made public after the completion of the process in full,” the press service stressed.