Russia Develops First COVID-19 Vaccine, Putin Says

One of his daughters was the first to be inoculated

REUTERS

MOSCOW, Russia — Russia’s health ministry has given regulatory approval for the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine, developed by Moscow’s Gamaleya Institute, after less than two months of human testing, President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.

President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia’s health ministry has given regulatory approval for the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine developed by Gamaleya Institute, after less than two months of human testing.

Despite concerns it may not have fully tested its product, Vladimir Putin claimed trials had showed it was safe, worked effectively and formed long-term immunity.”

“One of my daughters did the inoculation herself. After the first injection, her temperature went up to 38, but by the next day it was just a little over 37.”

Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said Russia will prioritize vaccinating frontliners this August and mass vaccination will begin early next year.

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Russia on Friday said it was ready to supply coronavirus vaccines to the Philippines. In a press briefing, Russian ambassador Igor Khovaev proposed conducting clinical trials and the setting up of a vaccine production hub in the country once approved by the Philippine government.

Read: Russia is Set to Register the World’s First COVID-19 Vaccine; Intends to Supply PH

According to an article by Interaksyon, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has lauded Russia’s efforts to and is willing to participate in trials, as he welcomed a supply offer from Moscow that he expects will be free of charge.

To allay public fears, Duterte offered to be a testing subject when the vaccine arrives and said: “I can be the first they can experiment on.”

“I will tell President (Vladimir) Putin that I have huge trust in your studies in combating COVID and I believe that the vaccine that you have produced is really good for humanity.”

His office on Tuesday said the Philippines stands ready to work with Russia on vaccine trials, supply and production.

Interaksyon.com
Independent.co.uk


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