Russia announces advanced trials for its COVID-19 vaccine, invites volunteers

Russia has anunced vanced human trials for its COVID-19 vaccine 'Sputnik V' that it approved earlier on August 11. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin on Wednesday, August 26 invited residents to register for trials that would reportedly last for six months and would involve at least 40,000 people.

move comes after World Health Organisation (WHO) said Russian vaccine was t part of nine candidates in vanced sts of testing as country h failed to provide sufficient evidence to global health body for it to evaluate drug.

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Sergei Sobyanin in his latest invitation said residents of Moscow have an opportunity to become part of "post-registration research" that would defeat coronavirus pandemic. He encourd Russian citizens to sign-up for clinical trials of potential vaccine that has been developed by Gamaleya Institute in Moscow in partnership with Defence Ministry.

While anuncing "first COVID-19 vaccine" earlier this month, Russian President Vlimir Putin h claimed that one of his daughters has taken drug in order to propagate that it is safe and effective for use. 

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According to reports, Russian scientists working on vaccine h iculated drug just months ago, garnering criticism from international health community for rushing human trials. Scientists in country even compared it with -race, saying Russia will be first country to create a COVID-19 vaccine.

vaccine has been aptly named 'Sputnik V', after first artificial satellite launched by USSR, in order to suit that narrative. Experts from across world have, however, expressed concern over safety and efficacy of drug due to lack of evidence. 

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COVID-19 pandemic

Russia is currently one of worst affected countries in world, nearing 1 million confirmed COVID-19 cases. According to figures by Johns Hopkins University, Russia has registered over 16,000 deaths so far.

Meanwhile, United States remains worst-hit nation with over 5.8 million cases and at least 1,79,000 deaths. global tally from disease, that has spre outwards from China, stands at 24 million infections and 8,22,167 deaths as of August 27. 

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