Russia May Produce World’s First COVID-19 Vaccine By August
Moscow: Amid the rising novel coronavirus infections and deaths in the world, Russia says that it plans to register a coronavirus vaccine as soon as 10 August to 12 August, which can also be touted as the world's first Covid-19 vaccine, according to a report.
The drug developed by Moscow’s Gamaleya Institute and the Russian Direct Investment Fund may be approved for civilian use within three to seven days of registration by regulators, according to a person familiar with the process, who asked not to be identified because the information isn’t public.
Earlier, a state-run news service reported the vaccine may be approved by August 15-16.
Furthermore, a Russian state virology institute has started human trials of the country's second potential Covid-19 vaccine, injecting the first of five volunteers with a dose on July 27.
The individual was feeling fine, the agency had reported.
Moreover, Russian drug maker R-Pharm has signed a deal with AstraZeneca for it to manufacture a coronavirus vaccine being developed by the British pharmaceuticals giant and Oxford University, it said earlier.
Following allegations from UK, Canada and the United States that hackers backed by Russia were trying to steal Covid-19 vaccine and treatment research, the head of Russia's wealth fund said the deal showed that Moscow has no need to steal anything.
The Russian Defence Ministry clarified that tests of the vaccine against coronavirus are being conducted in full compliance with methodological regulations, with no attempts to reduce the duration of the research.
"The Russian Defence Ministry tests the vaccine on volunteers in full compliance with the acting legislation and scientific methodological regulations, in order to prevent further risks, without any attempt to reduce the duration of the research", the ministry said in a statement.
President Vladimir Putin has made finding a vaccine a top priority. Russia has recorded more than 800,000 Covid-19 cases, making it the fourth most-affected country in the world.
