Russian Breakthrough: Updated Vaccines in 48 Hours

Alexander Gintsburg, head of the Gamaleya Institute that developed the Sputnik V vaccine, told RIA Novosti that they have developed a new genetic engineering platform that can create an updated vaccine in 48 hours: “A new sequence, based on a mutant version of the virus’ spike protein, can be synthesized literally within one day, and the next day it is inserted into the previously used vector.” The only real time issue is what is needed for the regulatory oversight. “If it gives the same adequate protective effect against a new strain as it does with the original, you could immediately launch it into mass production.”