Italy's Campania region signs deal to buy Russia's Sputnik V vaccine

ROME: Italy's southern Campania region has signed an agreement to buy Russia's Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine, the regional governor said on Friday, adding that the deal will become effective once the shot's use in Europe becomes authorised.

"We have signed the contract after weeks of negotiations ... pending approval of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Italian regulator (AIFA)," said Vincenzo De Luca. Campania, which includes Naples, is one of Italy's most populated regions, with some 5.8 million residents. It has been among the worst affected areas since the pandemic took hold in February last year, with over 320,000 confirmed cases.