Russia vaccine programme buoyed by efficacy results

Russian scientists say the country's Sputnik V vaccine appears safe and effective against COVID-19, according to early results of an advanced study published Tuesday in a British medical journal. Researchers said that based on a fall trial involving about 20,000 people in Russia, the vaccine is about 91% effective and appears to prevent inoculated individuals from becoming severely ill with COVID-19. 

But it is unclear if Sputnik V can stop transmission. The study was published online Tuesday in The Lancet. The Sputnik V vaccine was approved by the Russian government with much fanfare on August 11.