WHO and EMA about to Approve Russian Vaccine
South Korean biopharmaceutical contract manufacturers’ Sputnik V vaccine production volume is forecast to exceed the latest estimate. This is because the WHO and the EMA are about to approve the Russian vaccine and the approvals are likely to lead to a substantial increase in demand.
According to market research firm Statista, the volume is estimated at 1.85 billion doses. The global total order until May 25 is 542.09 million doses, which are scheduled to be supplied to 27 countries. A total of 68 countries have approved the Russian COVID-19 vaccine so far.
UNICEF announced on May 27 that it signed an agreement with the Russian Direct Investment Fund for a supply of 110 million doses, which will be completed within this year. Slovakia and Hungary already approved the vaccine.
“The supply from Pfizer and Moderna is not enough to cover the entire demand and the Sputnik V is urgently needed,” Hankook Korus Pharm explained, adding, “At present, it is the only COVID-19 vaccine approved in Latin America and Africa and there is no reason for the WHO and the EMA not to approve it with its safety and efficacy already proven and UNICEF in need of a large amount of vaccines for its relief activities.”
Hankook Korus Pharm, which is supposed to supply 150 million doses of the vaccine this year, said that Russia already made a request for more production. The Huons Global consortium mentioned that its maximum monthly production volume is 100 million doses and the sovereign wealth fund of Russia and itself are yet to determine how much to supply.