Russian Medical Community Opposes Pressure to Administer Domestically Developed Vaccine

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Controversy has arisen in the local medical community regarding the administration of Russia's domestically developed novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, 'Sputnik V.'

As the government pushes for priority vaccination of high-risk groups such as doctors and teachers, the medical community has strongly opposed reports that authorities are considering stripping bonuses from medical staff who refuse vaccination?bonuses that have been provided to medical personnel participating in COVID-19 treatment.

According to local media on the 16th (local time), a research institute under the local Ministry of Health reportedly proposed that doctors refusing vaccination should not be paid the COVID-19 treatment participation allowance.

Since April, the Russian government has been providing bonuses ranging from 25,000 to 80,000 rubles (approximately 400,000 to 1,250,000 KRW) per month to medical staff involved in COVID-19 treatment, depending on their rank.

Upon learning of the proposal to revoke bonuses, the medical community reacted strongly. The medical workers' union asserted that "vaccination must be entirely voluntary," warning that "if bonus payments are stopped, strikes and large-scale vaccination refusal campaigns will be launched."

As the controversy grew, Minister of Health Mikhail Murashko stepped in to calm the situation, stating, "Vaccination for all residents, including high-risk groups such as doctors and teachers, will be voluntary, and mandatory vaccination has not even been discussed."

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