Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized that the newly developed Russian vaccine underwent the necessary tests, adding that one of his two daughters has received a shot of the vaccine and is feeling well, according to Associated Press reports. A suitable vaccination to treat the deadly coronavirus has been underway across the world, with some reporting final stages of human trials. Amid the race to create such a vaccine, President Putin launched this coronavirus vaccine. It is being proclaimed as the world’s first COVID vaccine also. He also asked Health Minister Mikhail Murashko to keep him informed about the vaccine, further noting that he knows “it works quite effectively” and “forms a stable immunity.” Gamaleya Research Institute and the Russian Defence Ministry have jointly worked and developed Russia’s first coronavirus vaccine. “This morning, for the first time in the world, a vaccine against the new coronavirus was registered” in Russia, he said during a televised video conference call with government ministers, according to media. Putin further thanked everyone, describing it as “a very important step for the world”.
Murashko mentioned that the vaccine’s registration is conditional and experiments will proceed as production gets underway. Meanwhile, the president added that up to 60 per cent of Russians should be vaccinated against flu while tasking the government with ensuring funding for flu and coronavirus vaccination after vaccines are registered. 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. Various industry bodies and countries have questioned Russia’s extensive push to develop a vaccine as soon as possible. The roll-out of this vaccine has stirred concerns that it may be putting national prestige before science and safety.
US infectious disease specialist Dr Anthony Fauci questioned the fast track approach, calling the distribution of a vaccine prior to testing, problematic at best.
Meanwhile, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has accepted Russia’s offer of its coronavirus vaccine, volunteering to take the first shot as a gesture of trust and gratitude. “When the vaccine arrives, I will have myself injected in public. Experiment on me first, that’s fine with me,” Duterte said on Monday.