The two-dose Russian Sputnik V vaccine will now be recognised in Australia for the purpose of travellers entering the country.
Australia requires non-citizens entering the country to be fully vaccinated, and the Therapeutic Goods Administration on Monday said it has received more information about the Russian vaccine’s efficacy.
‘The TGA obtained additional information demonstrating this vaccine provides protection and potentially reduces the likelihood that an incoming traveller would transmit COVID-19 infection to others while in Australia or become acutely unwell due to COVID-19,’ it said in a statement.
The Russian Sputnik V vaccine (pictured) has been approved by the TGA as an acceptable vaccine for travelers who want to fly into Australia
‘The recognition of Sputnik will expand options for the return of international students, travel of skilled and unskilled workers to Australia, and travel by business people and elite sports people to our country.’
Data from the Russian government indicated two doses of Sputnik V provides 98 to 100 per cent protection against hospitalisation or death and was an average of 89 per cent effective against symptomatic infection.
The TGA noted the studies were conducted prior to the emergence of the Omicron variant.
‘Real-world studies assessing the effectiveness of a range of vaccines against Omicron are currently underway in many countries,’ it said.
The single-dose ‘Sputnik Light’ is not currently recognised by the TGA.
A woman receives the Sputnik vaccine at the River Park Hotel in Novosibirsk, Russia in November (pictured)
