Russia has developed world's 'first' coronavirus vaccine claims president Putin

 Mass production of coronavirus vaccine will start in October 2020

Russia has successfully developed the world’s “first” coronavirus vaccine announced by Russian president Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. "This morning, for the first time in the world, a vaccine against the new coronavirus was registered" in Russia, Putin said during a televised video conference call with government ministers.

The Association of Clinical Trials Organizations (ACTO), a body that represents organisations conducting clinical trials in Russia had reportedly urged for more trials before its registration as an official vaccine.

Earlier, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko had announced that the Russia is expecting to start the mass production of the vaccine from October 2020. He also assured that all expenses related to the vaccine will be covered in the state budget.

"At the moment, the last, third, stage is underway. The trials are extremely important. We have to understand that the vaccine must be safe. Medical professionals and senior citizens will be the first to get vaccinated," Deputy Health Minister Oleg Gridnev told reporters on August 7 at the opening of a cancer centre building in the city of Ufa.

"We plan wider vaccinations for October," Murashko was quoted as saying. He also added that the vaccine will first be made available for doctors and teachers.

The clinical trials for this vaccine began on June 18 with 38 volunteers, out of which the first group of volunteers was discharged on July 15 and second group was discharged on July 20.

The vaccine, which was jointly developed by Gamaleya Research Institute and the Russian Defence Ministry, will be officially registered on August 12.

This makes Russia the first country in the world to register a COVID-19 vaccine, since the outbreak of the virus in Wuhan in December 2019. The speed at which Russia is moving to roll out its vaccine highlights its determination to win the global race for an effective product but has stirred concerns that it may be putting national prestige before science and safety.

The World Health Organisation last week urged Russia to follow established guidelines and go "through all the stages" necessary to develop a safe vaccine.

The pandemic has seen an unprecedented mobilisation of funding and research to rush through a vaccine that can protect billions of people worldwide.

                                                                   Rukhsana manzoor Deputy Editor