<p>Russia has given the green light for clinical trials combining a British shot from AstraZeneca Plc and Oxford University with Russia's Sputnik V vaccine to go ahead, according to Russia's state drug register. The health ministry's ethical committee had in May suspended the approval process for the clinical trials, and requested additional information.</p>.<p>According to the state drug register, five Russian clinics will hold trials that are set to finish in early March, 2022.</p>.<p>Both the AstraZeneca/Oxford and Sputnik V vaccines involve two doses - an initial shot and a booster - but Sputnik V uses different viral vectors for its two shots.</p>.<p>Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which promotes the use of the Sputnik V vaccine, has welcomed the decision to go ahead with the trials.</p>.<p>"Currently, RDIF is conducting joint clinical trials to combine the first component of Sputnik V - the Sputnik Light vaccine - with vaccines from other foreign manufacturers," it said in a statement.</p>.<p>"In particular, the Sputnik Light vaccine can be used in combination with other vaccine to increase their effectiveness including against new variants appearing as a result of the mutation of the virus."</p>.<p>So-called viral vector shots use harmless modified viruses as vehicles, or vectors, to carry genetic information that helps the body build immunity against future infections.</p>.<p>Human trials of a Covid-19 vaccine combining the AstraZeneca/Oxford shot with Sputnik V had already been approved in Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Belarus and Argentina.</p>
<p>Russia has given the green light for clinical trials combining a British shot from AstraZeneca Plc and Oxford University with Russia's Sputnik V vaccine to go ahead, according to Russia's state drug register. The health ministry's ethical committee had in May suspended the approval process for the clinical trials, and requested additional information.</p>.<p>According to the state drug register, five Russian clinics will hold trials that are set to finish in early March, 2022.</p>.<p>Both the AstraZeneca/Oxford and Sputnik V vaccines involve two doses - an initial shot and a booster - but Sputnik V uses different viral vectors for its two shots.</p>.<p>Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which promotes the use of the Sputnik V vaccine, has welcomed the decision to go ahead with the trials.</p>.<p>"Currently, RDIF is conducting joint clinical trials to combine the first component of Sputnik V - the Sputnik Light vaccine - with vaccines from other foreign manufacturers," it said in a statement.</p>.<p>"In particular, the Sputnik Light vaccine can be used in combination with other vaccine to increase their effectiveness including against new variants appearing as a result of the mutation of the virus."</p>.<p>So-called viral vector shots use harmless modified viruses as vehicles, or vectors, to carry genetic information that helps the body build immunity against future infections.</p>.<p>Human trials of a Covid-19 vaccine combining the AstraZeneca/Oxford shot with Sputnik V had already been approved in Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Belarus and Argentina.</p>