New Delhi (NVI): Moscow began the distribution of the ‘Sputnik V’ vaccine to 70 medical facilities in the city from today, the first mass vaccination programme of Russia against COVID-19.
The advanced trial of the Russian-made vaccine is still underway, but the shots had already been offered to people from high-risk groups, according to the reports.
Moscow’s taskforce informed that, COVID-19 vaccine shots would be made available first to doctors, medical workers, teachers and social workers, as they are on the highest risk of exposure to the virus.
In addition to this, an online registration service allows city residents in the above professions aged 18-60 to book free appointments at 70 sites around Moscow.
According to Moscow Mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, about 5,000 people signed up for the jab –up in a few hours after the system began operating in the city.
The age group for those receiving Sputnik V shots is capped at 60 years, while people with certain health conditions, pregnant women’s and those who have had a respiratory illness for the past two weeks are excluded.
Earlier in August, Russia proclaimed ‘Sputnik V’ as the world’s first registered COVID-19 vaccine after the government gave it regulatory approval. The country has developed two COVID-19 vaccines, Sputnik V, backed by the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), and one developed by Siberia’s Vector Institute and final trials for both are yet to be completed.
However, the Sputnik V vaccine for COVID-19 is administered in two injections, the second dose given 21 days after the first. The is 95 per cent effective and causes no major side effects, as per the developers.
Moscow, the epicentre of Russia’s COVID-19 outbreak, registered 7,993 new cases in past 24 hours, pushing the overall tally to 11,57,514. The country as a whole registered 24,10,462 coronavirus cases, the fourth-highest in the world, as per the John Hopkins University data
Meanwhile, the government of Russia has ruled out a lockdown, but in November restrictions were introduced in Moscow on opening hours for bars and clubs, and also reduced cultural and sporting events.
-RJV
