Russia announces World's first Covid-19 vaccine, Putin says his daughter among those inoculated

Moscow, Aug 11: Amid the rising novel coronavirus cases and deaths across the world, Russia's President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday has announced the registration of the first coronavirus vaccine with mass production expected to start in September and mass vaccination in October. He said that his own daughter has been vaccinated with new coronavirus vaccine.

The vaccine was developed by Gamaleya Research Institute and the Russian Defence Ministry, Deputy Health Minister Oleg Gridnev said last Friday, according to a report.

On Monday, the Association of Clinical Trials Organizations (ACTO) industry body that represents organizations conducting multinational clinical trials in Russia had urged for more tests before its registration.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has accepted Russia's offer of its coronavirus vaccine, volunteering to take the first shot as a gesture of trust and gratitude.

Fact check: Has Russia actually found coronavirus vaccine

The country has been pushing extensively for virus vaccine for quite some time now.

Russia's race to allow civilian use of a potential coronavirus vaccine before clinical trials are complete could put people at risk, according to a local association of multinational pharmaceutical companies.

Russia currently has two COVID-19 vaccine candidates in the race - one, a vaccine being developed by the Vektor State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology.

Meanwhile, a total of 26 vaccine candidates are being developed, according to the World Health Organisation, as a process normally taking up to 15 years has been squeezed into a matter of months.