Russia has approved a corona virus vaccine developed by the Moscow-based Gamaleya Institute for use, President Vladimir Putin said on Russian State TV on Tuesday.
Speaking in a live teleconference with his cabinet ministers, Putin said the vaccine had gone through all the necessary checks.
“A vaccine against corona virus has been registered for the first time in the world this morning,” Putin said, adding: “I know that it works quite effectively, it forms a stable immunity.”
“So we’re the first to have registered. I hope our foreign colleagues’ work will move as well, and a lot of products will appear on an international market that could be used,” Putin said.
Russian officials told CNN previously that crucial Phase 3 trials would take place after state registration of the vaccine.
Russia has released no scientific data on its vaccine testing and we have not been able to verify its claimed safety or effectiveness.
Critics say the country’s push for a vaccine comes amid political pressure from the Kremlin, which is keen to portray Russia as a global scientific force.
CNN
