Russia has announced it has registered Carnivac-Cov as the world’s first coronavirus vaccine for animals.
According to the country’s agriculture safety watchdog, Rosselkhoznadzor, clinical trials of Carnivac-Cov started in October last year. The trials involved dogs, cats, foxes, mink and other animals.
The agency revealed that the vaccine was developed by one of its unit, adding that immunity lasts for six months after vaccination.
Speaking to reporters about the vaccine, Rosselkhoznadzor’s deputy head, Konstantin Savenkov, described it as a highly successful clinical trial.
“The results of the trials allow us to conclude that the vaccine is harmless and highly immunogenic. All the vaccinated animals developed antibodies to the coronavirus in 100% of cases.
“It is the world’s first and only product for preventing COVID-19 in animals.”
Konstantin Savenkov
Mass production of the vaccine could start as early as April, the watchdog said. It also claimed the jab would help prevent mutations in animals.
There are reports of three pets with COVID-19 in Mexico, one in Italy, and two cat infections in Russia.
Also, in November, the identification of a COVID mutation at over 200 Danish mink farms led to the culling of millions of minks.
The drastic action was taken after a “unique variant” of SARS-CoV-2 – the virus that causes COVID-19 – was discovered in 12 people infected by minks.
Notwithstanding, Savenkov points out that there is “no scientific proof that the COVID-19 can transfer from animals to humans.”
Russia already has three coronavirus vaccines for humans, the most well-known of which is Sputnik V. Moscow has also given emergency approval to two other vaccines, EpiVacCorona and CoviVac.
Russia registers single-shot Sputnik-Light Covid-19 vaccine
Russia has also announced that the country has registered a single-shot Sputnik-Light version of the original Sputnik V vaccine.
According to the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), the sovereign wealth fund marketing the vaccine abroad, clinical trials for the “slimmed-down” vaccine have already been completed. The fund adds that it has cast Sputnik-Light as a possible temporary solution, to help countries with high infection rates.
Arsen Kubataev, the fund’s head of clinical development, also stated separately that the “slimmed-down shot” is not expected to be as effective as the original vaccine.
“In parallel, we have already launched international clinical Phase III trials that will test its efficacy”.
Arsen Kubataev
Around 2,000 people have reportedly received the shot, which consists of just one of the two doses, each based on a different adenovirus vector, that make up Sputnik V.
Moscow has said that its two-dose Sputnik V vaccine will remain the main version used in Russia. Russian President, Vladimir Putin has also stated that he expects Russia to reach herd immunity to coronavirus by the end of summer. This, he says, would pave way for the lifting of pandemic-related restrictions.
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