Russian President Putin Participates Personally in Nasal Spray COVID-19 Vaccine Trial... Receives Vaccine Four Times

Booster Shot Vaccination Followed by Nasal Spray Vaccine the Next Day
Russian Citizens Suffer Severe Vaccine Hesitancy... Vaccination Rate Only 37.5%

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed that he personally participated in the nasal spray-type COVID-19 vaccine trial, reportedly receiving a total of four vaccine doses. This is interpreted as a desperate measure to reduce public concerns about side effects and vaccine hesitancy by directly administering a vaccine still under development. Despite Russia being the first country in the world to approve a COVID-19 vaccine, the vaccination completion rate is still reported to be below 40%.

According to Russia's TASS news agency on the 24th (local time), President Putin stated during a cabinet video conference that he received the nasal spray-type "Sputnik V" vaccine developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute. President Putin emphasized, "I feel nothing after the vaccination and exercised normally this morning," adding, "I can prove that everything is proceeding as the scientists are pushing forward."

With this, President Putin is reported to have completed a total of four vaccine doses, including the nasal spray vaccine. Earlier, in March and April, President Putin received two doses of the Sputnik V vaccine, completing the initial vaccination. On the 21st, he completed a third dose with Sputnik Light, developed as a booster shot. The following day, he underwent the nasal spray vaccine trial, making it a total of four vaccine doses.

The reason President Putin personally received a vaccine still in clinical trials is interpreted as due to Russia's low vaccination rate. Russia approved Sputnik V in August last year and was the first country worldwide to start COVID-19 vaccinations, but the vaccination rate remains low. According to Our World in Data, the full two-dose vaccination rate in Russia stands at only 37.5%. It is reported that Russian citizens' vaccine hesitancy is hindering efforts to increase the vaccination rate.

Meanwhile, Russian health authorities announced on the same day the approval of "Sputnik M," a vaccine for adolescents aged 12 to 17. Distribution of the vaccine is expected to begin by the end of next month.

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