Its Vaccino time!
Russia, August 11: Russia claims to have made the first vaccine for COVID19 in the world and the first person to get vaccination is President Vladimir Putin’s daughter
There have been more than 160 vaccine candidates in the world in different stages of production. But the vaccine developed by Moscow’s Gamaleya Institute is launched as the first coronavirus vaccine by the Russian President Vladimir Putin.
While addressing a government meeting, Putin was quoted as saying by AP, “I would like to repeat that it has passed all the necessary tests.” He added, “the most important thing is to ensure full safety of using the vaccine and its efficiency.” One of Putin’s daughters has been among the firsts to receive the vaccine and is reported to be well now.
The Russian President has thanked everyone who has worked on the vaccine’s development. He hopes that the country’s research body will start mass production of the vaccine soon. The move paves way for mass inoculation even as the final stages of clinical trials to test safety and efficiency continue.
However, experts are questioning the fast track approach in the development of it. Alexander Chepurnov, the former head of infectious diseases at Vektor was doubtful about the data provided by the Russian Government. He said, “The danger is there in terms of the possibility of increasing the disease’s severity with the wrong vaccine… with some diseases- and for Coronavirus, this is already known that the infection can intensify with the presence of certain antibodies”. Antony Fauci, the top US infectious disease specialist also questioned the approach, last week.
The World Health Organization has already sternly advised the Russian authorities to proceed as per the established guidelines to produce a safe and effective vaccine.
