Russia registers the first vaccine against Covid-19 in the world. Russian President Vladimir Putin launches the vaccine. The president also asked Health Minister Mikhail Murashko to keep him informed about the vaccine. The final stages of testing safety and efficacy continue while the registration of the vaccine lays the ground for mass inoculation. Putin calls this a very important step for the world.
Russia’s first coronavirus vaccine is developed jointly by Gamaleya Research Institute and the Russian Defence Ministry. Clinical trials of the vaccine began on June 18 and included 38 volunteers. All of the participants developed an immunity. The first group was discharged on July 15 and the second group on July 20. Putin notes that the vaccine works effectively and one of his daughters have been inoculated who is feeling perfectly well.
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According to the Russian health ministry, the risk groups will be vaccinated this month and mass vaccination will begin from October. The president has tasked the government with funding for vaccination against flu and says that up to 60% of people should be vaccinated. However, trials will go on along with mass production as the registration of the vaccine is conditional.
While Putin had ordered to cut short the trials period for potential coronavirus drugs in April, various industry bodies have shown disapproval toward’s Russia’s hurried registration of the vaccine. Dr Anthony Fauci, the top US infectious disease specialist, questioned the fast-track approach last week. He cynically puts that he hopes the Chinese and the Russians are actually testing a vaccine before they are administering the vaccine to anyone because claims of having a vaccine ready to distribute before testing according to him are problematic at best.
Meanwhile, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte shows trust and gratitude by accepting Russia’s over to inoculate the vaccine. He says that he will be injected in Public when the vaccine arrives.
