Russia looks to produce Sputnik V vaccine in Italy following demand surge

Russia is looking to expand production of the Sputnik V vaccine overseas as it looks to meet the surge in demand following it being sent in for EU certification.

Demand for the vaccine domestically has dropped significantly as other options become available but the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which handles the rollout of the vaccine, said has signed an agreement with Swiss-based Adienne to produce more jabs in Italy.

Read more: EMA to begin certification for Russia's Sputnik vaccine

Before production can commence the shot will require approval from local regulators, and the region of Lombardy, where the facility will be based.

It is to be the first programme within the EU to feature the Sputnik vaccine as it is still awaiting approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

The project's head has also confirmed the investment fund had also signed deals with Germany, Spain and France.

More than 1.4 billion doses of the vaccine have been ordered by various nations both inside and outside Europe.

The RDIF has outsourced production to countries such as India, China, South Korea and Brazil.

However, none of the outsourced facilities have yet to reach full production, which calls into question the timeframe the RDIF will be working towards.

In a statement released this week, the RDIF said: “Less than 5% of vaccines produced in Russia have been exported in January and February. These were surplus amounts that did not affect the rollout of the vaccination program in Russia. Vaccination of Russians is without question the key priority in Russia and Russia will become one of the first countries in Europe to vaccinate all citizens who want to be vaccinated.”

There has been a wave of both Covid and vaccine hysteria within Russia which has prompted the slump in decline.

The RDIF hope to have developed 33 million doses by the end of the month.

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