US Director Oliver Stone Receives Russian COVID Vaccine... "Very Good Vaccine"

During Documentary Filming in Russia, Vaccinated
"Don't Understand Why the West Ignores It"

[Image source=Oliver Stone director Twitter]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] American film director Oliver Stone is reported to have received the Sputnik V vaccine, a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine developed by Russia's state-owned Gamaleya Research Institute. The vaccine had previously sparked safety concerns as it was approved without undergoing clinical trials.

On the 15th (local time), according to Russian local media such as the Moscow Times (MT), Director Stone said in a recent interview with Russia's Channel 1, "I received the Russian vaccine a few days ago. I don't know the effect yet, but I have heard many good opinions," adding, "I think this is a very good vaccine, and I don't understand why the West ignores it." Stone is reportedly staying in Russia to shoot a documentary on climate change. He added, "I will visit Russia again later for the second dose." The Sputnik V vaccine developed by Russia's state-owned Gamaleya Research Institute requires two doses to achieve full immunity, with the second dose administered three weeks after the first.

Western media outlets such as the UK's Independent and the US's Newsweek reported that Stone, who is 74 years old this year, received the Sputnik V vaccine, which is known to pose risks to people over 60. The vaccine was controversially approved by Russian health authorities before starting Phase 3 clinical trials in August, raising questions about its efficacy and safety.

However, Russian health authorities have stated that since approval, about 320,000 doses have been distributed, over 200,000 Russians have been vaccinated, and the immunity effect reaches 91.4%. It is also known that the majority of Russian citizens remain distrustful of the vaccine. Russian state media extensively reported not only on Stone's vaccination but also on the fact that the son of Venezuelan President Nicol?s Maduro was vaccinated earlier.

Meanwhile, Stone is famous for directing socially and politically charged films such as "Platoon," "JFK," and "Snowden," and has interviewed President Vladimir Putin more than ten times for documentary filming.

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