"Putin Likely to Receive Domestically Developed COVID-19 Vaccine Soon"

Health Authorities Approve 'Sputnik V' Vaccination for Seniors Aged 60 and Over

Russian President Vladimir Putin
[Photo by Reuters]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to receive the domestically developed novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine soon, the Russian government announced on the 27th (local time).

According to daily The Guardian and others, Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, appeared on Russia's state broadcaster Rossiya 1 on the same day and stated, "President Putin said he would get the vaccine, has made the decision, and was waiting until all procedures were completed."

This news came after Russian health authorities approved the administration of the domestically developed COVID-19 vaccine, 'Sputnik V,' to elderly people aged 60 and above the previous day. Following the approval, Sergey Sobyanin, Mayor of Moscow, announced that vaccination applications for citizens aged 60 and above would be accepted starting from the 28th.

Currently 68 years old, President Putin responded to a question about whether he had received the vaccine at a press conference on the 17th, saying, "I have not yet been vaccinated because vaccination for those aged 60 and above has not been approved." With the recent approval by health authorities including him in the vaccination target group, it appears he plans to be vaccinated at the Kremlin.

Since the 5th, Russia has been administering Sputnik V primarily to healthcare workers, social welfare workers, and others at high risk of virus exposure. Russian health authorities recently explained through clinical trials that Sputnik V shows over 90% preventive effectiveness for elderly people aged 60 and above.

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