UAE grants emergency use authorization for Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine

The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) has announced that the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) has granted emergency use authorization for the Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine. This decision marks a significant step in the UAE’s ongoing efforts to combat the SARS-CoV-2 virus and protect its population from the global pandemic. The Sputnik V vaccine, developed by Russia’s Gamaleya Research Institute, has demonstrated its efficacy in large-scale clinical trials, including a comprehensive phase 3 study involving over 33,000 participants conducted in Russia.

The UAE’s approval of Sputnik V follows promising results from ongoing phase 3 clinical trials conducted within the country. The trials, which are being monitored by the MOHAP and the Department of Health (DOH) of Abu Dhabi, have already enrolled 1,000 volunteers. These trials are being managed by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), a key public health provider in the region, under rigorous medical protocols to ensure safety and efficacy.

In addition to the UAE’s ongoing trials, the RDIF has partnered with local entities, including Aurugulf Health Investment and Pure Health, to facilitate the administration of Sputnik V in the region. These partnerships have played a crucial role in ensuring that the vaccine’s distribution and trial processes run smoothly, contributing to the increasing global presence of the Sputnik V vaccine.

RDIF has emphasized that its vaccine is based on a proven platform of human adenoviral vectors, a method that has been widely researched and is known for its safety profile. Kirill Dmitriev, the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, stated that the UAE is one of Russia’s most vital partners in the Middle East, and the collaboration between the RDIF and the UAE’s health authorities was instrumental in securing this approval.

Dmitriev expressed gratitude for the cooperation between the two nations and highlighted that the regulatory approval of Sputnik V in the UAE was a key milestone. He added that the vaccine’s inclusion in the UAE’s national vaccine portfolio was an important development for the health and well-being of the country’s population. RDIF aims to help the UAE access one of the world’s most effective vaccines against Covid-19, ensuring that the country is equipped with the tools necessary to mitigate the impact of the pandemic.

The emergency use authorization granted by the UAE Ministry of Health marks a significant moment in the global fight against Covid-19, as the Sputnik V vaccine continues to gain traction in several countries. Before the UAE’s approval, Sputnik V had already been registered for emergency use in countries such as Argentina, Venezuela, Algeria, Serbia, and Paraguay, with RDIF planning to expand vaccine supply further through international partnerships in India, South Korea, and China.

This move not only strengthens the UAE’s vaccine portfolio but also reflects growing global confidence in Sputnik V’s ability to deliver reliable protection against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. As the pandemic persists, access to vaccines like Sputnik V plays a crucial role in ensuring that the world can effectively combat Covid-19 and return to normalcy.