Macron: "Nationwide COVID Vaccination for All in France by Summer"

"Russian Sputnik V Vaccine Reported Effective"
"Considering Vaccine Distribution to Underdeveloped Countries... Ultimately, We Get Infected"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] French President Emmanuel Macron has declared that he will complete COVID-19 vaccinations for the entire French population by this summer. He also announced that vaccine production will begin within France and that the introduction of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine is under consideration.

According to major foreign media including AFP, President Macron stated in an interview with France's TF1 on the 2nd (local time), "We will complete COVID-19 vaccinations for all French citizens by the end of this summer." He added, "Vaccine production will start in France between the end of this month and early next month, and ultimately, vaccines will be produced at four factories." He continued, "Several pharmaceutical factories across Europe are being converted to produce COVID-19 vaccines," emphasizing, "The French pharmaceutical company Sanofi will begin mass-producing vaccines in Germany within the next few months."

He also indicated a positive stance toward the introduction of the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine. President Macron said, "A delegation was sent a few weeks ago to conduct a scientific investigation of the vaccine, and we received positive reports." However, he explained, "For final vaccination approval, the European Union (EU) and our health authorities must conduct investigations and make decisions based on the results." He added, "Vaccination should be based on scientific evidence, not politics." Following German Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Macron's positive remarks about the Russian vaccine suggest that discussions on the introduction of Russian vaccines in Europe will accelerate.

Meanwhile, President Macron emphasized the need to also focus on vaccine distribution to underdeveloped countries. He stated, "We must consider supplying vaccines to underdeveloped countries," explaining, "If these countries lack vaccines, the extremely poor will be exposed to the virus risk, which will eventually lead to the spread of COVID-19 there, resulting in variant viruses that could then spread to other countries."

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