Russian President Vladimir Putin announces the registration of the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine.
This breakthrough comes after Russia’s Health Ministry gave regulatory approval for the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine after less than two months of human testing.
The vaccine, developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center, has an official registration with the Russian Health Ministry, Putin told a meeting with Members of the Government in Moscow.
“I would like to repeat that it has passed all the necessary tests,” Putin said. “The most important thing is to ensure full safety of using the vaccine and its efficiency.”
Putin added that the vaccine trials yielded positive results, with all volunteers having built up immunity to the coronavirus.
“The vaccine is based on adenovirus and contains dead COVID-19 particles which cannot multiply and are therefore safe”, said Alexander Gintzburg, Head of the center.
However, it can provoke an immune response such as high temperature to the introduction of foreign substances, he added.
Since appearing in Wuhan, China last December, the novel coronavirus has spread to at least 188 countries and territories.
Russia has over 891,000 cases to date. It becomes the first country worldwide to register a vaccine for the deadly COVID-19.
This breakthrough comes shortly after the Philippine President, Rodrigo Duterte agreed to an offer made by Russian President Vladimir Putin to provide a Russian COVID-19 vaccine soon as it becomes available. He further said he is more than willing to participate in trials.
“When the vaccine arrives, I will inject it publicly. Experiment with me, that’s fine. If it works on me, it will work on everyone,” the Philippines leader said in a televised speech late on Monday.
Duterte’s office on Tuesday said the Philippines is ready to collaborate with Moscow on vaccine trials, supply and production.
“The Philippines are ready to work with Russia on clinical trials, vaccine supply and production, and other areas deemed practicable by relevant Philippine and Russian agencies to address this global health emergency,” a government statement said.
Duterte lauded Russia’s efforts to speedily develop a coronavirus vaccine.
“I will tell President Putin that I have huge trust in your studies in combating COVID and I believe that the vaccine that you have produced is really good for humanity,” Duterte said.
On being asked about the credibility of the Russians doctoring the vaccine, the Filipino leader said that he is confident of the effectiveness of Russia’s vaccine, which he said will be ready by December, when “the Philippines will be free of COVID-19 and will be able to enjoy a peaceful Christmas.”
