Russia has become the first country in the world to give regulatory approval to a coronavirus vaccine.
The vaccine went 2 months through human trials.
The announcement, which was made by President Vladimir Putin, means that mass inoculation can take place in Russia.
The final stages of clinical trials will continue.
Putin has said that the vaccine, which is developed at Moscow’s Gamaleya Institute, is safe to use.
President Putin also said that the vaccine worked effectively and formed long-term immunity.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting earlier today, Putin said:
As far as I know, this morning for the first time in the world a vaccine against the novel coronavirus infection was registered. I know that it works rather effectively, forms a stable immunity, and, I repeat, it passed all the necessary inspections. 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 that the country plans to begin vaccinating medical staff this month.
Mass inoculation program will be rolled out next year.
Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said that Russia will be vaccinating their medical staff this month.
Mass inoculation programs will be rolled out in 20201.
According to Health Minister Mikhail Murashko, a two-injection course would offer immunity for up to two years.
The vaccine will be branded as Sputnik V.
Sputnik V is a Soviet-era satellite.
Russian authorities are currently in discussions with the World Health Organization about a possible prequalification for the vaccine.
Tarik Jasarevic, a WHO spokesperson, said:
We are in close contact with Russian health authorities and discussions are ongoing with respect to possible WHO prequalification of the vaccine, but again prequalification of any vaccine includes the rigorous review and assessment of all required safety and efficacy data.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the man that is in charge of the coronavirus response of the United States, said that he is hoping that countries that are trying to make a vaccine test their products properly before they launch them.
Dr. Fauci said:
I do hope that the Chinese and the Russians are actually testing the vaccine before they are administering the vaccine to anyone. Claims of having a vaccine ready to distribute before you do testing is problematic in the very least.
The first batch of Russia’s coronavirus vaccine will be released in 2 weeks.
Russia is currently developing a special tracing application that will allow Russian citizens that will confirm the state of their health.
The application will also monitor possible adverse effects of the vaccine for those who took it.