BREAKING: Russia Approves ‘World’s 1st’ #COVID-19 Vaccine – President Putin——Russia has approved ‘world’s first’ coronavirus vaccine developed jointly by Gamaleya Research Institute and the Russian Defence Ministry.
President Vladimir Putin announced this during a live teleconference with his cabinet ministers on Tuesday, August 11.
Putin said;
A vaccine against coronavirus has been registered for the first time in the world this morning. I know that it works quite effectively, it forms a stable immunity. So we’re the first to have registered. I hope our foreign colleagues’ work will move as well, and a lot of products will appear on an international market that could be used.
The Russian President revealed that one of his daughters has taken the vaccine, adding;
I know this very well too, as one of my daughters has been inoculated with the vaccine. I think that this way she participated in the experiment. After the first injection her temperature was 38 [degrees Celsius], the next day 37-something and that’s it. After the second injection the temperature also got a bit higher but that’s it, then it went back down. Now she feels well.
Clinical trials of the vaccine began on June 18 and included 38 volunteers. All of the participants developed immunity. The first group was discharged on July 15 and the second group on July 20.
The approval now paves the way for mass use of the vaccine as the final stages of clinical trials continue. The next stage of the tests, commonly known as a Phase III trial, will involve thousands of participants.
Russia’s vaccine come amid concerns over its safety, effectiveness and allegations that the country has cut essential corners in its development.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are more than 100 possible Covid-19 vaccines currently being developed around the world, with at least four in the Phase III human trials.
Russia has released no scientific data on its vaccine testing and as at press, WHO was yet to verify its safety or effectiveness.
Critics say the country’s push for a vaccine comes amid political pressure to portray Russia as a global scientific force.
