Russia has struck deals to supply its vaccine to over 40 countries, as poorer nations struggle to access Western shots

Russia has struck deals to supply its vaccine to over 40 countries, as poorer nations struggle to access Western shots

Russia's Sputnik V vaccine is gaining ground in Latin America, Eastern Europe, Asia, and Africa.

More than 40 countries have agreed deals with the makers of the vaccine, many of which have little ability to access the in-demand shots made by Western companies which are powering vaccination drives in the US and Europe.

Thee Russian Direct Investment Fund, the body that backed the vaccine and handles its marketing, listed the nations in a press release on Wednesday. 

They are: 

The vaccine is also approved by the Palestinian Authority and by an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina called the Srpska Republic, the press release said.

Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the RDIF, told Insider on February 2 that he has little interest in seeing the vaccine used in the US, and only a moderate interest in sending it to Europe. 

Outside of these markets, however, there is a wide field. Beyond the US and western Europe, there are relatively few doses available from vaccine-makers like AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson.

Nations including the US, Canada, and the UK have ordered enough doses to vaccinate their populations several times over, and have been accused of hoarding. They are also getting their doses sooner.

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