DISINFO: Sputnik V still not recognised in the EU due to a political component
SUMMARY
Alertness and some apprehension about the Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine in the European Union was initially caused by the fact that it was registered as the first in the world. There is a political component - and no small one - in the fact that there is still no hurry to recognise Sputnik V in all EU countries.
RESPONSE
Recurrent disinformation message around Sputnik V.
There is no evidence of the EU or its regulatory bodies' bias against the Russian vaccine. EMA and EU leaders have publicly stated they would welcome Sputnik V if it meets the applied standards for vaccines. EMA Executive Director Emer Cooke said she hoped the Sputnik V vaccine would be approved. For that, EMA is conducting a rolling review including with visit to Russian facilities.
The EMA has certified four vaccines so far. The rolling review of Sputnik V was launched on 4 March 2021. Pro-Kremlin media often quote an article in the Lancet magazine, which showed 91.6 per cent effectiveness of Sputnik V without considerable side effects. However, there have been some doubts as to its efficacy, especially where the trial procedures are concerned (see here and here.) Recently, in the Lancet article published on 12 May 2021, critical questions about the Sputnik V data for the phase III clinical trial were raised.
According to reporting by Reuters, the developer of Sputnik V missed a recent deadline of June 10, 2021 to submit required data, which may postpone the approval process.
The EMA is committed to applying the same regulatory approach and scientific rigour to all vaccine applications that meet European requirements for safety, efficacy and quality and is in dialogue with more than 50 vaccine developers from across the globe.
Read also related stories: Non-recognition of Sputnik V by EMA has a political background, The head of the EMA stated that she would seek to ban Russian vaccine, EMA's delay in approving Sputnik V is political; Registration of Sputnik V in the EU is voluntarily delayed for political or economic reasons; The West criticises the Russian vaccine because their companies will lose billions of dollars.