Russia’s global vaccine ambitions stumble during supply shortage

Deliveries of Russia's Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine have been hampered, forcing countries to seek alternatives, Bloomberg reported.

Guatemalan president Alejandro Giammattei recently said his country will seek to replace 8 million planned doses with supplies from other producers by the end of year after delays receiving its initial order.

Meanwhile, Brazil does not need the 10 million doses of Sputnik it contracted for in March because it had secured other vaccines, Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga said Thursday.

Countries that have chosen to use the Sputnik V vaccine are said to be reporting supply problems with the second component in the two-shot inoculation.

In Argentina, a presidential adviser said the shortages put the government at risk as people were unable to receive the second dose within the recommended period of three months after the first.

"Given the unprecedented worldwide demand all vaccine producers are experiencing some short-term supply issues," a representative for the Russian Direct Investment Fund said.