Moscow, January 12: Sputnik demonstrates very high efficacy against Omicron variant and appears to be more effective than other vaccines against the new strain, said Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.

"It appears that Sputnik V is very effective. Perhaps it is more effective than other vaccines used in the world," Putin said at a session of the Russian Cabinet of Ministers, TASS News Agency reported.

Also Read | COVID-19 New Variant, Inflation to Derail Global Economic Recovery in 2022, Says World Bank Report.

The Russian president added that in any way the vaccine's ability to neutralize the virus is obvious. Omicron Variant of COVID-19 Quickly Overtaking Delta Globally in Terms of Circulation: WHO.

On November 26, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated B.1.1.529 as a "Variant of Concern" and assigned it the Greek letter Omicron. It also said that the new variant has "a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning."

Also Read | Omicron Variant of COVID-19 Quickly Overtaking Delta Globally in Terms of Circulation: WHO.

Cases of infections with the new strain of the novel coronavirus have been already registered in more than 100 countries. As of today, Russia reported 698 Omicron cases across the country.

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)