Geneva, Dec 19 (Agency) The World Health Organization (WHO) expects to receive the full package of documents on the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 by the end of December, WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic told Sputnik on Sunday. The official also said that WHO experts cannot arrive in Russia to assess the efficiency of the vaccine before the documents are received and examined. So, WHO inspection will take place not earlier than in January 2022.
Jasarevic added that the deadlines for submitting the documents were announced at a meeting of representatives of the WHO and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) in Geneva in late November. After the application and corresponding answers are considered, the WHO will tell the vaccine producer if the inspection on spot is needed, Jasarevic said. In October, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said that all barriers to the recognition of Sputnik V in the WHO had been removed, with only administrative procedures remaining. The RDIF said it was expecting to get the approval from the WHO in the next few months. Currently, Sputnik V is authorized in 71 countries with a total of 4 billion people, which makes up over 50% of the population on Earth. Since March 4, the vaccine is undergoing an expertise in the European Medicines Agency.