The vaccine is now being produced in countries outside of Russia, including Brazil and Kazakhstan, and Indian companies are leading the way with plans to produce 752 million doses of Sputnik V this year. Russia is also seeking to produce the drug in Italy, as overseas demand for the vaccine has surged following the positive efficacy results published by medical journal The Lancet. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) started a rolling review of the vaccine in early March.

Sputnik V is approved for use in 57 countries, including Hungary, the UAE, Mexico and Argentina as of 29 March. The wealth fund managing the vaccine’s distribution reported having signed contracts in 10 countries to produce 1.4 billion jabs, according to the Financial Times. The drug is considered an affordable option at less than $10 (£7.18) per dose. Vaccine hesitancy is an issue in Sputnik's home country, however, with only 30% of Russians wanting the jab, according to a Levada Center poll. President Vladimir Putin received his vaccination on 23 March, but it’s not known whether he received Sputnik V or one of Russia’s other two vaccines: EpiVacCorona and CoviVac.

Companies making billions from COVID-19 vaccines