The world receives its first nasal COVID-19 vaccine as the Russian Health Ministry registered the nasal version of Sputnik V, which would be available for Russians within three to four months. According to reports, the new version is also effective against the latest Omicron variant as Sputnik V in injection form.

The Russian Ministry of Health approved the second phase of clinical trials of the coronavirus vaccine in the nasal spray form to the Gamaleya National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow in October last year.

Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine was first administered in Hyderabad in May 2021 and was delivered to India by the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) in collaboration with Dr Reddys Laboratories. Sputnik V, together with Covaxin and Covishield, would be the third choice for speeding up the national vaccination drives throughout India. (NDTV, April 02, 2022)