Reo, "Third Domestic Vaccine Launch Imminent... Effective Against All Variants"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Russian government announced that the launch of the third domestically developed novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine is imminent and that it is effective against all types of variant viruses. Russian health authorities are reportedly planning to begin general vaccinations for the elderly aged 60 and over as early as this week.

According to TASS news agency on the 20th (local time), the Chumakov Center for Immunobiological Products under the Russian State Academy of Sciences stated that the COVID-19 vaccine is about to be released and is effective against all types of COVID-19 variant viruses. The center said, "The COVID-19 virus strains are not mutating rapidly, and even if it is found that serious mutations occur, there is technology to resolve this by changing the strain."

Earlier, starting from the 11th, Russian health authorities began vaccinating priority groups such as medical personnel and teachers with domestically produced vaccines, and it is reported that vaccinations for the elderly aged 60 and over will begin as early as this week. Mikhail Murashko, Russian Minister of Health, said in an interview with Rossiya 1 broadcast, "Clinical trials of the vaccine for people aged 60 and over are almost complete, and vaccinations will begin as early as this week," adding, "We also recommend including diabetic patients in the vaccination."

Previously, Russia’s health authorities approved the use of two vaccines: Sputnik V, developed by the state-run Gamaleya Institute, and EpiVacCorona, developed by the Vector Center in Novosibirsk, Siberia. However, both vaccines were approved for use before completing Phase 3 clinical trials, leading to international safety concerns.

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