Russia dismisses COVID-19 vaccine safety concerns, medics to get doses in two weeks

Russian Health Minister dismissed safety concerns of its COVID-19 vaccine ‘Sputnik’ and said that it will be available within two weeks for some medics. During a meeting via video link, President Vlimir Putin anunced on August 11 that health ministry has approved world’s first coronavirus vaccine.

world’s first clinically approved vaccine against vel coronavirus has been manufactured by Gamaleya Research Institute in collaboration with Russian Health Ministry. Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko told meeting that it is one of first registered vaccines in world to prove its effectiveness and safety.

Russia has become first country to register a coronavirus vaccine, however, questions have been raised over decision to register vaccine before Phase 3 trials which last for months. United States has been sceptical over Russian vaccine and US Health Secretary Alex Azar told a news conference that it is more essential to have a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine than acing race.

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Doctors to get priority

On August 12, Murashko said that foreign colleagues are sensing specific competitive vants of Russian drug and are trying to express “completely groundless” doubts. minister ded that first doses of coronavirus vaccine will be provided within next two weeks, primarily for doctors. Tatyana Golikova, Deputy Prime Minister for social policy, h said that industrial production of new coronavirus vaccine will start in September.

World Health Organisation (WHO) said that UN ncy and Russian health authorities are discussing process of possible WHO prequalification for same. WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic told a UN briefing in Geneva that organisation is in ‘close contact’ with health authorities in Russia in regards to prequalification that includes rigorous review and assessment of all required safety and efficacy data. 

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