Russia to register first COVID-19 vaccine next week

Amid the soaring number of coronavirus cases worldwide, Russia is all set to register world's first COVID-19 vaccine next week.

The third stage trial of the vaccine jointly developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute and the Russian Defence Ministry is currently underway and will be registered on August 12.

Russia’s Deputy Health Minister Oleg Gridnev on Friday confirmed the news and asserted that "This is the testing part and is extremely important. We have to understand that the vaccine itself must be safe." He added that once the vaccine is launched medical professionals and senior citizens will be the first to get vaccinated.

After the registration process, the vaccine will be reportedly tested on about 1,600 people to ensure its safety and effectiveness. The Russian vaccine Last week, Russia's Health Minister Mikhail Murashko informed that the mass vaccination in the country will kick start in October and all the expenses will be covered from the state funds.

The trial of the Russian vaccine is currently underway at two centres - Burdenko Main Military Clinical Hospital and the Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University. As per a report, all the corona positive people who joined the trail for the vaccine developed immunity against the contagious virus.

Apart from the vaccine formulated by the Gamaleya Research Institute, Russia's Vektor State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology is also in the race to develop a potential vaccine for coronavirus.