Study: Russian COVID-19 vaccine safe, effective

Editor's Note

In this study from Russia’s Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, researchers found that a heterologous COVID-19 vaccine based on recombinant human adenovirus type 26 (rAD26) and type 5 (rAD5) had a good safety profile over 42 days and induced strong antibody responses in all participants within 21 days.

Secondary outcomes of this nonrandomized trial of 76 healthy adults aged 18-60 years found that the vaccine produced a T-cell response within 28 days.

In phase 1 of each trial, participants received one component of the two-part vaccine, and in phase 2, participants received the full two-part vaccine.

To compare postvaccination immunity with natural immunity from having COVID-19, the researchers obtained convalescent plasma from 4,817 people who had recovered from the COVID-19 infection.

Both vaccine formulations were well tolerated. The most common adverse effects were pain at the injection site, fever, headache, lack of energy, and muscle and joint pain. These adverse effects also are seen with other vaccines, especially those based on recombinant viral vectors, the researchers say.