New Cold War Vaccine Hegemony Competition Intensifies with Russian Vaccine Name, 'Sputnik V' (Comprehensive)

Named after the world's first artificial satellite Sputnik 1 in 1957
Symbol of the Soviet Union's victory in the Cold War system competition against the USA
Amid safety concerns, pro-Russian countries expected to approve... Duterte says "I will be hit first"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As Russia announced that it has registered its own novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine as the world's first, the competition for vaccine supremacy is intensifying. In particular, Russia has named the registered vaccine "Sputnik V," a name symbolizing the Cold War-era rivalry with the United States, which is seen as fueling the power struggle with the U.S. While Western countries, including the United States, have criticized Russia's vaccine?approved without even undergoing Phase 2 clinical trials?due to concerns over side effects, pro-Russian countries have welcomed it. There are concerns that vaccines may become a political tool that strengthens the new Cold War structure, rather than just being medicines.

According to Russia's TASS news agency, on the 11th (local time), Russian President Vladimir Putin announced at a video cabinet meeting that the COVID-19 vaccine developed by the state-run Gamaleya Institute was "approved as the world's first" and named the vaccine Sputnik V. President Putin said, "We have won the global vaccine competition," adding, "Sputnik V carries the meaning of being the world's first developed vaccine, just like Sputnik 1, the world's first artificial satellite launched."

Sputnik was the artificial satellite launched by the former Soviet Union in 1957 as the world's first, and when this news became known, the term "Sputnik Shock" became popular in the United States, heightening a sense of crisis over losing the system competition. The following year, NASA was established, and in 1961, the Apollo project, a moon landing plan, was formulated, marking the beginning of the U.S.'s active space development efforts.

The name Sputnik itself is widely interpreted as having the intention of competing for supremacy with the United States. The New York Times (NYT) reported, "Sputnik is a symbol of pride for Russians who believe the Soviet Union defeated the U.S. during the Cold War," and "It is intended to boost President Putin's approval ratings, which peaked during the forced annexation of Crimea in 2014, and to cover up economic difficulties caused by reduced oil demand after the COVID-19 crisis."

The development of the Sputnik V vaccine is also playing a role in aligning countries. Western countries, including the United States, have raised strong doubts about its safety, stating that the vaccine was approved after only completing Phase 1 clinical trials. Alex Azar, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, said in an interview with ABC News, "What matters in vaccines is not being first developed but securing a safe and effective vaccine," emphasizing, "Transparent data from Phase 3 clinical trials is necessary." The German Ministry of Health also criticized in a statement, saying, "No scientific data has been released to demonstrate the quality, efficacy, and safety of the Russian vaccine."

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also expressed concerns. WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic said at a video press briefing, "We are discussing with local authorities the possibility of prequalification for the vaccine developed by Russia," adding, "The prequalification process will include a rigorous review and evaluation of safety and efficacy."

On the other hand, pro-Russian countries have expressed their intention to actively accept the Russian vaccine. According to the Associated Press (AP), Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said in a TV address the day before, "President Putin has offered to supply the COVID-19 vaccine free of charge," emphasizing, "I could be the first test subject when the Russian vaccine arrives." The southern Brazilian state of Paran? also announced in a statement that it plans to sign a contract to produce the Russian vaccine in Brazil.

Kiril Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian sovereign wealth fund RDIF, which is supporting the mass production of the vaccine, stated, "We have received preliminary vaccine orders from 20 countries overseas, which amounts to more than one billion doses," indicating that most countries with close ties to Russia are expected to approve the Russian vaccine.

Following the Russian vaccine, vaccine development in various countries is expected to accelerate further. President Trump announced at a White House briefing that day, "We have signed a contract to supply 100 million doses of Moderna's vaccine," emphasizing that the vaccine launch is imminent. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 160 pharmaceutical companies and research institutions worldwide are currently developing COVID-19 vaccines. Among them, five companies have entered Phase 3 trials: AstraZeneca from the UK; Moderna and Pfizer from the U.S.; and Sinovac and Sinopharm from China.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.