Russian President Vladimir Putin said so on Tuesday, August 11. The vaccine should be produced in quantity as early as September. However, the World Health Organization is more cautious.
“This morning, for the first time in the world, a vaccine against the new coronavirus was registered”, said Vladimir Putin during a press conference on Tuesday, August 11. Called Sputnik V, the product has been authorized by the Russian Ministry of Health. Phase 3 of the trials will begin on Wednesday August 12. The Russian president claimed that one of his daughters had already been vaccinated. “I know that it is quite effective, that it gives long-lasting immunity”, he added. The Russian Ministry of Health confirms: it indicates that immunity can last up to two years, in particular thanks to the fact that it is inoculated in two doses.
???????? #Russia registers world’s first #COVID19 ???? #vaccinated.
???? It is based on adenovirus & contains dead #coronavirus particles which cannot multiply and are therefore #safe. It has successfully passed all clinical trials stages.
????♂️ Ready or not #COVID19here comes the vaccine! pic.twitter.com/uQy2yrxcKB
— Russia???????? (@Russia) August 11, 2020
Doses already ordered
The vaccine was created by the state research center, located in Moscow. Its production should start in September and it should be put into circulation from 1er January 2021 for the general public. Medical staff, as well as teachers, should be vaccinated as early as August. The president of the Russian sovereign wealth fund, which is involved in the development of the product, says that a billion doses have been ordered by 20 different countries.
The previous phase of clinical trials started last June and continued until mid-July. The 18 participants did not suffer any serious adverse effects according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The caution of the WHO
“We are in close contact with the Russians and discussions are continuing. The prequalification of any vaccine goes through rigorous processes”, WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said. Prequalification is a validation by the organization, which believes that the vaccine meets various standards of efficacy, quality and safety. Russia has not yet released detailed test results.
Several scientific studies are underway around the world to find a vaccine against the new coronavirus. “A number of vaccines are currently in phase three clinical trials, and we all hope to have a number of effective vaccines that can help prevent infection.”, WHO Director General Dr. Tetros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in early August. “However, there is no quick fix at the moment, and there may never be.”
Our message to governments and people is clear:
-Test, isolate & treat #COVID19 patients, trace & quarantine their contacts; inform, empower & listen to communities
-Keep physical distance, wear a mask, clean hands regularly & cough safely away from others
Do it all! pic.twitter.com/cbVwuOj7Tf
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) August 3, 2020
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