WHO resumes Sputnik V approval process

The World HEALTH Organization (WHO) has resumed the process of prequalification of the Russian covid-19 vaccine Sputnik V for emergency use, follows from the organization's registry.

How long the process will take is not specified. The WHO noted that the end date will be set as soon as the organization receives all the necessary data and subsequent inspections are completed.

The Russian vaccine page on Twitter says that the prequalification procedure for the drug is “going according to schedule and entering the final stage.” The report also notes that WHO inspectors will soon arrive in Russia to carry out the necessary checks and draw up the documents needed to approve the drug.

The WHO suspended the certification process for the vaccine on September 15. According to the deputy HEAD of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO, acting as a regional office of WHO), Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, during an inspection at one of the factories where the vaccine is produced, they revealed production shortcomings. The procedure will resume after the “necessary changes” are made, after which a new inspection will take place, he noted.