Russia Working With Venezuela to Ship Sputnik V Coronavirus Vaccine, Envoy Says

BUENOS AIRES (Sputnik) - Moscow and Caracas are exploring ways to ensure the delivery of the Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine to Venezuela, which is expected to start by the end of January, Russia’s ambassador to Venezuela, Sergei Melik-Bagdasarov, told Sputnik on Friday.

"The Russian and Venezuelan sides signed a contract at the end of last year for the supply of Sputnik V vaccines to Venezuela. The first batch is planned to be delivered this month. Currently, issues related to logistics are being worked out", the diplomat said.

In October 2020, Venezuela received Sputnik V as part of phase III clinical trials. In December, the Latin American country signed an agreement with Russia for the delivery of the vaccine to kickstart mass vaccination. Venezuela is expecting to receive the first batch of 10 million doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 in the coming weeks.

Sputnik V is the first ever officially registered coronavirus vaccine. In addition to Russia, Sputnik V was registered by Algeria, Argentine, Belarus, Bolivia and Serbia, while clinical trials continue in Belarus, Egypt, India, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.

The vaccine's dosing regimen is two doses per patient at least 21 days apart. Interim clinical results from latest studies in mid-December established its efficacy at 91.4 percent and at 100 percent against severe cases.