Brazil regulator denies permission to import Russia COVID vaccine

‘Inherent risks’ and ‘serious’ defects highlighted over a lack of information guaranteeing Sputnik V’s safety.

Brazil’s health regulator has denied requests from several states to import Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, saying it did not have the data needed to verify the jab’s safety and efficacy. Anvisa’s five-member board voted unanimously on Monday to not approve the Russian vaccine after technical staff highlighted “serious” defects, citing a lack of information guaranteeing its safety, quality and effectiveness. Ana Carolina Moreira Marino Araujo, Brazil’s general manager for health monitoring, said taking into account all the documentation presented, data acquired at in-person inspections, and information from other regulators, the “inherent risks” were too great.