The Sputnik V vaccine, one of the first registered COVID-19 vaccines, was developed in which country?

Appeared in: NORCET 9 Prelims-2025

Explanation

The Sputnik V (Gam-COVID-Vac) vaccine was developed in Russia.
It was created by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology.
Sputnik V is a viral vector vaccine that uses two different human adenovirus vectors (Ad26 and Ad5) for its two separate injections, a strategy intended to create a more robust and long-lasting immune response.

Option A: The United Kingdom is associated with the development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine (known as Covishield in India), not Sputnik V.
Option B: China developed its own set of COVID-19 vaccines, such as Sinovac and Sinopharm, but was not involved in the development of Sputnik V.
Option C: The United States was a key developer of mRNA vaccines, notably the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines.

Visual 1: World Map - A map highlighting the primary development countries for major COVID-19 vaccines (Russia, UK, USA, Germany, India, China) to provide clear geographical context.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Origin of COVID-19 Vaccines as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a vital role in public health by educating patients about different vaccines, including their type (e.g., viral vector, mRNA), efficacy, and origin, which helps build trust and increase vaccine uptake.
During a pandemic, being knowledgeable about the global vaccine landscape helps nurses address patient concerns and counter misinformation effectively.
What if the question asked about the first mRNA vaccine developed? The answer would involve the United States and Germany, as the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was a pioneering mRNA vaccine.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question based on general knowledge from recent global health events.
First, identify the key term in the question: 'Sputnik V vaccine'.
Access your knowledge about the major COVID-19 vaccines and their countries of origin.
Recall that 'Sputnik' is a name famously associated with Russia's space program, which is a strong clue linking the vaccine to Russia.
Systematically eliminate the other options by associating them with their respective vaccines: United Kingdom (AstraZeneca/Covishield), United States (Pfizer, Moderna), and China (Sinovac, Sinopharm).
Confirm that Russia is the correct origin for Sputnik V.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full NORCET 9 Prelims-2025

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.