Russia To Register World’s First Coronavirus Vaccine
Russia is set to register the world's first coronavirus vaccine on August 12. The inoculation has been developed jointly by the Gamaleya Research Institute and the Russian Defence Ministry.
However, the clinical trial data and other documents of Russia's COVID-19 vaccine are currently under expert review. The decision on registration will be made based on its results, according to the Russian health ministry.
"The documents that are needed to register the vaccine developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of the Health Ministry, including clinical trial data, are under expert review. The decision on registration will be made based on the results of the review," the ministry said.
Russia's Deputy Health Minister Oleg Gridnev told the state news agency. Sputnik news that the Phase-3 clinical trial of the COVID-19 vaccine was underway. He also said that senior citizens and medical professionals will be the first to get vaccinated.
In June, the Russian Institute claimed to have started the vaccine’s phase-1 trials.
What is this vaccine?
The vaccine is named Gam-Covid-Vac Lyo and was created by the Gamalaya Research Institute, an organization affiliated with the Russian Ministry of Health in Moscow.
Human adenovirus vectors have been used in the Russian vaccine. They have been weakened so that they cannot develop in the body and keep the body safe.
These human adenoviruses are named Ad5 and Ad26 and both have a combination of them. Both are engineered with the coronavirus gene.
Currently, most of the vaccines being developed worldwide depend on one vector while it is dependent on two vectors. Patients will also have to apply a second booster shot.
Russian scientists claim that they have modified the vaccine created to fight other diseases and this made it quicker.
Other companies have also adopted this approach. Moderna has only slightly modified the vaccine for a related virus called Mars.
This accelerated the development process, but the US and European regulators closely monitor the safety and effectiveness of this vaccine.
Claims made by Russia:
Russia's deputy prime minister Tatyana Golikova said the vaccine would be registered in August. Its mass production will also start in September.
Earlier, on July 15, Russian scientists said that this vaccine is adenovirus-based. There have been trials of its initial phase. The results so far have been successful.
In the last week of July, the Russian Health Minister said that Gamalaya had finished clinical trials of the vaccine. Doing paperwork for registration.
A CNN report quoted Russian officials as claiming that more than 20 countries, including India, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, have shown interest in the vaccine.
Officials also said that August 12 is the deadline. The regulator will approve for public use. It will then be used on health workers.
The Russian health minister said on Saturday that a mass vaccination campaign would be started in October. It will start with doctors and teachers.
What is the problem with the rest of the world with the Russian vaccine?
Some European and European experts, including Britain, have problems with Russia's fast-track approach. They are questioning its safety and effectiveness.
American expert on infectious diseases, Dr. Anthony Fossey, fears that the vaccines in Russia and China are not effective and safe. It should be widely investigated.
The US expert also said that the US would make the vaccine by the end of this year and would not have to depend on any other country. Russia has not introduced any scientific data regarding vaccine testing to ascertain the efficacy and safety of the vaccine.
Critics say that the Kremlin (Russian Ministry of Defense) is under pressure from scientists. He wants to present Russia as the Global Scientific Force.
What does Russia have to say on criticisms?
Russian developers had plans that Phase-2 would be completed by August 3. Phase-3 testing and vaccination of medical workers will go together.
Russian soldiers have been made volunteers for the Human Trials. Project director Alexander Ginsberg said he has tried the vaccine on his own as well.
Russian authorities also claim to have allowed the fast-track process to produce the vaccine. This was done to resolve the earliest global epidemic.
Russian officials also say that Human Trials data will be made available for peer review and publication in the early weeks of August.
Why is it being called the Sputnik Moment?
In fact, in 1957, the first satellite of the world was launched by the then Soviet Union and proved its scientific proficiency against the US.
This satellite was named Sputnik. Kirill Dimitrev, head of Russia's Sovereign Fund, says the discovery of the vaccine is also a spontaneous movement.
He told CNN, Americans were stunned by Sputnik. The same will happen in the case of vaccine. Russia will be the first country to make a vaccine.
Russia proved superiority in the Ebola and Merce vaccines. Now the first safe and effective vaccine is being brought to deal with the world's biggest problem.
What is the truth in the accusations of hacking on Russia?
Last month, security agencies in Britain, the United States and Canada claimed that Russian hacking groups targeted organizations producing the coronavirus vaccine.
The UK's National Cyber Security Center said the attack was carried out by the APT 29 group, also known as The Dukes or Cozy Bears. It was part of the Russian intelligence services.
It was claimed that Russian groups were using such tactics to steal information related to the vaccine.
These allegations were dismissed by Russia's Ambassador to Britain, Andrei Kelin. He said that there was no basis in these allegations.
According to the World Health Organization vaccine tracker, more than 165 vaccines are currently being developed worldwide.
