Russia Approves First COVID-19 Vaccine, But People Question It

In its latest progress, Russia has become the first country to approve a COVID-19 vaccine, and President Vladimir Putin announced the same on Tuesday. The vaccine had been developed by Moscow's Gamaleya Institute and underwent human testing for two months before getting the green light.

It will be named “Sputnik,” which is also the name of Russia's first orbital satellite, according to Kirill Dmitriev, who heads a Russian investment fund that provides financial assistance for vaccine development.

Once the vaccine enters mass production, it will be used to inject people, starting with the Russian population, followed by some other parts of the world. Putin has assured that the vaccine boosts immunity, and has even been used to inject one of his daughters.

“I know that it works quite effectively, forms strong immunity, and I repeat, it has passed all the needed checks.”

However, Russia's swift approval has raised concerns around the world as many fear that the rush to release a COVID-19 vaccine might carry something ineffective or not adequately tested. By the way, which Russian vaccine has not yet entered mass trials in humans (Phase-III) where it will be tested on thousands of humans to study its effect in more detail.

As far as initial testing is concerned, the Gamaleya vaccine has been given to a small percentage of people, including the scientist who made it, 50 members of the Russian military, and several volunteers.

Read: Russian Hackers Try To Steal COVID-19 Vaccine Research: US, UK, Canada

Moreover, the vaccine is still being considered in Phase-I by the World Health Organization (WHO). While about 100 vaccines are being developed globally, according to WHO data, at least four of them are in final Phase III human trials.

Spokesman Christian Lindmeier said the vaccine must undergo multiple trials before it is licensed for launch, and there is a big difference “between finding or having a clue of maybe having a vaccine that works, and having gone through all the stages,” he added.

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