Russia has officially become the first country in the world to register a COVID-19 vaccine and declare it ready for use.
The vaccine named ‘Sputnik’ will not be available for public use until 1 January 2021, the website of the State Register of Pharmaceuticals reported.
To underscore its efficacy, President Vladimir Putin said that one of his daughters has already been inoculated.
It was developed by the Gamaleya Research Center as a solution for the virus infections.
Binnopharm JSC and the Gamaleya research centre are listed as manufacturers.
The vaccine will exist in two forms, as a liquid and a freeze-dried one.
In the Philippine, President Duterte in a late night address said he sees a COVID-free December as Russia has offered to give free vaccines to the Philippines.
Putin emphasized that the vaccine underwent the necessary tests and has proven efficient, offering a lasting immunity from the coronavirus.
However, scientists at home and abroad have been sounding the alarm that the rush to start using the vaccine before Phase 3 trials — which normally last for months and involve thousands of people — could backfire.
Speaking at a government meeting Tuesday, Putin emphasized that the vaccine has undergone proper testing and proven safe to use.
“I would like to repeat that it has passed all the necessary tests,” he said. “The most important thing is to ensure full safety of using the vaccine and its efficiency.”
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