Russia registers world’s first Corona vaccine; gets pre-orders from 20 countries
Russia named its first approved COVID-19 vaccine for overseas markets Sputnik V, named after Russia’s first satellite. The then Soviet Union (now Russia) launched the ‘Sputnik 1’ satellite in the year 1957, surprising the world. Russia has become the first country to approve the vaccine.
Order received for one billion doses
Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s direct investment fund, said orders have been received from 20 countries for a billion doses of the vaccine. Russia, along with its partners in four countries, will make 500 million doses of it every year. He said that Latin American, West and South Asian countries have shown interest in purchasing this vaccine and many contracts have been done.
Earlier, Russian President Putin said that this morning, for the first time in the world, the vaccine has been registered against the new corona virus. He thanked all those who worked on this vaccine. Putin claimed that the vaccine had gone through all the required tests. Now this vaccine will be sent for mass production.
Kirill Dmitriev compared the creation of the vaccine to the 1957 Sputnik 1 satellite in the Soviet Union, the world’s first satellite. It was hailed as a historic Sputnik moment. He said that the vaccine will be marketed in foreign markets under the name of ‘Sputnik V’.
Putin’s daughter gets vaccinated
However, this vaccine will be available to the general public from January 1 next year. Putin said in a government meeting on Tuesday that the vaccine has stood the test and has been successful in strengthening human immunity against the coronavirus. He said that mass production of this important vaccine for the world would be started soon.
The Russian president said that one of his two daughters had been given the vaccine. Her daughter had a mild fever after the first dose. There was a mild fever even after the second dose and after that everything went well and the antibodies increased. Generally, a fever after applying the vaccine means that the vaccine is working.
The vaccine has been developed by the Russian Ministry of Defense and the Gamalaya Research Institute. There are two injections in this vaccine. As a liquid and a soluble powder. On the website of the government department that registers the medicines, it has been told that this vaccine will be available for the general public from January 1 next year. Then Russia will start mass vaccination.
Clinical trial started on 18 June
According to media reports, the first phase of human trials (clinical trials) for this vaccine in Russia began on 18 June. 38 volunteers were vaccinated. The second phase of human trials began on 13 July. Then on August 3, all these people were tested and all were found to have strong immunity. The first group was discharged from the hospital on 15 July and the second group on 20 July. According to Dmitriev, the clinical trial of the third phase of this vaccine will be done in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and other countries.
Who will get first vaccine
Russia’s Health Minister Mikhail Murashko has said that the vaccine will be first applied to medical workers, teachers and people associated with risk-seeking groups. After this, the senior citizen will be given vaccine. He said that it will be produced at two places in the country. Apart from this, it will be produced along with the other four partners of the world.
Production can take place from September on a large scale
Currently, this vaccine has been prepared on a limited scale. If its regulatory approval has been received, then the industrial level of this vaccine can start from September. Russia has said that it can start vaccinating nationwide from October.
Many scientists including America suspect the vaccine
Many scientists around the world, including the US, are skeptical of Russia’s move in terms of security and questioning the decision to register the vaccine before the Phase III trial. Phase III testing of any vaccine typically lasts for many months on thousands of people. US Health Minister Alex Azar said that more important than making the world’s first vaccine is to make a safe and effective vaccine.