Russian COVID-19 Vaccine Released In Public, India Trials Starts This Month
The first batch of Sputnik V Russian vaccine developed by Gamaleya National Research Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology as well as the Russian Direct Investment Fund has been rolled into civil circulation according to the Russian Health Ministry.
COVID-19 is showing no signs of stopping, at least in India, where cases have again started to pile up exponentially. Seeing the second wave of cases, we all desperately wait for the release of a vaccine to help us contain the spreading of the novel coronavirus.
However, Russia has already started getting its vaccine today.
Reuters
The first batch of Sputnik V Russian vaccine developed by Gamaleya National Research Centre of Epidemiology and Microbiology as well as the Russian Direct Investment Fund has been rolled into civil circulation according to the Russian Health Ministry.
The ministry said in a statement, "The first batch of the 'Gam-COVID-Vac' (Sputnik V) vaccine for the prevention of the new coronavirus infection, developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of Russia, has passed the necessary quality tests in the laboratories of Roszdravnadzor (medical device regulator) and has been released into civil circulation."
The vaccine was registered by the authorities last month on August 11th, where Putin had assured his citizens that the vaccine is safe and effective against the novel coronavirus stating, ¡°I know that it works quite effectively, forms strong immunity, and I repeat, it has passed all the needed checks.¡± Reports also hinted that his daughters were vaccinated with Sputnik V and were healthy.
Concerns still remain
Even though Russian authorities claim that the vaccine is ready for the masses, concerns surrounding the vaccine still remain, particularly since it was launched only within months of being under development and didn¡¯t have adequate testing.
The sample size for initial phases of human testing was small and a large phase 3 trial isn¡¯t complete yet. However, it looks like we might have an answer to this soon.
Reuters
Russian vaccine trial in India
Reports have also hinted that the vaccine will be undergoing trials in India this month.
Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said on Monday, "The post-registration studies involving more than 40,000 people started in Russia on August 26, before AstraZeneca started its Phase 3 trial in the US with 30,000 participants. Clinical trials in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Philippines, India and Brazil will begin this month. The preliminary results of the Phase 3 trial will be published in October-November 2020."
