WADA not against use of Sputnik V, sends inquiry on vaccine to RUSADA

MOSCOW, February 20. /TASS/. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) does not have grounds to presume that the Russian Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus may be problematic from the point of view of anti-doping rules. At the same time, an inquiry was sent to the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) in order to obtain additional information on the vaccine, WADA’s press service told TASS. Earlier, WADA told TASS that it has no objections to inoculation of athletes in order to protect them from the coronavirus. "As it relates specifically to the Sputnik V vaccine, WADA has requested that the Russian Anti-Doping Agency contact the vaccine’s manufacturer to ascertain its exact composition and properties and any additional relevant information. However, WADA has no reason to believe there are any issues with this vaccine as regards the anti-doping rules," a press service representative said. WADA specified that similar inquiries were sent to national anti-doping agencies of other countries that produce vaccines against the coronavirus. "For example we have been in regular contact with UK Anti-Doping in relation to vaccines produced in that country. In addition, WADA has memorandums of understanding with some of the individual manufacturers, such as Pfizer and AstraZeneca, as well as the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), so in those cases we can be in a position to approach the companies directly," the agency’s interlocutor added. To date, it is permitted to use the Russian Sputnik V vaccine as well as three vaccines developed in the US, two vaccines developed in the UK, six Chinese vaccines, as well as one German and one Indian vaccine. Read more