WHO: started discussions with Russia on vaccine

The World Health Organization's Europe office said it has begun discussions with Russia to try to get more information about the COVID-19 vaccine that Russia approved last week before the shot had passed the advanced trials normally required to prove it works.

"This concern that we have around safety and efficacy is not specifically for the Russia vaccine, it's for all of the vaccines under development," said Catherine Smallwood, a senior emergency official at WHO Europe.

Smallwood acknowledged that WHO was taking an "accelerated approach" to try to speed development of coronavirus vaccines but said "it's essential we don't cut corners in safety or efficacy."

Smallwood said WHO has begun "direct discussions" with Russia and that WHO officials have been sharing "the various steps and information that's going to be required for WHO to take assessments."