Russia starts developing new COVID-19 vaccine against Omicron variant

Special: Battle Against Novel Coronavirus

Russia's Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology said Monday that it has begun developing a new version of Sputnik vaccine adapted to target the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

Gamaleya said in a statement that the center is studying whether its Sputnik V and Sputnik Light vaccines can neutralize the Omicron variant as it believes.

If modification is needed, the new Sputnik Omicron version can be ready for mass production in 45 days, the center said, hoping that a great amount of Sputnik Omicron booster shots can enter international markets early next year.