After announcing its development of a possible COVID-19 vaccine, Russia has said that it would commence clinical trials using over 40,000 people.
A week ago, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin announced that the country had developed a vaccine and that Russia was the first to register a COVID-19 vaccine, although, this was met with mixed reviews, as many experts said that the vaccine would need to undergo more reviews.
According to the sponsor of the vaccine project, the country’s sovereign wealth fund disclosed that it would begin testing the “immunogenicity and safety of the Sputnik V vaccine” on over 40,000 individuals starting next week.
The trials would also involve those who fall under the at-risk group, which will include healthcare workers, as stated by the head of Russia’s Direct Investment Fund, Kirill Dmitriyev.
Dmitriyev said that the country would increase the number of participants in the trial phase come October, with the first batch of delivery to foreign nations starting in November and December.
He said, “We have seen a significant change in tone from the WHO. At first, yes, they did not have enough information on the Russian vaccine, now official information has been sent and they will evaluate it.
“We do not see any obstacle for individual regulators to approve the Russian vaccine without the approval of the WHO.”
