New Delhi (NVI): Amid widespread criticism from global experts citing safety concerns, the first batch of the Sputnik V vaccine against Covid-19, developed by Russia has been released into civil circulation, regional deliveries are planned in the nearest future, the Russian health ministry informed.
The vaccine is developed by Russia’s Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF).
“The first batch of the ‘Gam-COVID-Vac’ [Sputnik V] vaccine for the prevention of the new coronavirus infection, developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of Russia, has passed the necessary quality tests in the laboratories of Roszdravnadzor [medical device regulator] and has been released into civil circulation,” the ministry said in a statement.
According to the health ministry, the delivery of the first batches of the Russian vaccine to the country’s regions is planned in the nearest future.
The Russian health ministry registered the first vaccine against Covid-19, named Sputnik V, on August 11.
Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko had announced that vaccination against COVID-19 among volunteers under phase 3 of clinical trials will start this week.
Meanwhile, Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), on Monday confirmed that the clinical trial of the Sputnik V vaccine will begin this month in countries, including India.
Russia had said that at least 20 countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Philippines, Mexico, Brazil and India, have expressed their interest in obtaining the vaccine following registration.
-CHK
