Categories: Health

Russia bats for safety of its Covid-19 vaccine

The Russian Ministry of Defence has said that a Covid-19 vaccine that it developed in partnership with the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology appears to be safe.

On August 3, a "final medical examination" of participants in clinical trials of the vaccine took place at the Burdenko Main Military Clinical Hospital, it said in a statement.

The results clearly showed that all volunteers had a clear immune response resulting from vaccination, the ministry said, adding that there were no side effects or abnormalities in the work of the volunteers.

"Thus, the available data of laboratory and instrumental studies allow us to speak about the safety and good tolerance of the vaccine," the statement added.

The announcement comes amid international skepticism surrounding Russia's approach to developing Covid-19.

According to the World Health Organisation, at least 26 Covid-19 vaccine candidates are in clinical trials around the world, including one early-stage one from the Gamaleya Institute, CNBC reported yesterday.

But the UN health agency did not list any second or third-phase trials from Russia in its latest update of the list.

Last month, officials in the US, Canada and Britain accused Russia of attempting to hack and steal Covid-19 vaccine data.

In a BBC interview in July, Russia's envoy in Britain said that there was "no sense" in the allegations.

According to Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko, the country is planning a mass vaccination campaign against the novel coronavirus for October.

"We plan wider (vaccination) for October because we need to launch a new system of treatment gradually," the Minister told TASS News Agency on Saturday.

Another vaccine, developed by the State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology Vector, was going through clinical trials, he said.

Moreover, the Health Ministry in Russia expects that two more vaccine developers will request permission to start clinical trials on volunteers in the coming weeks..

IANS

Recent Posts

Foreign Secy reaffirms deepening of India-Mauritius ties during visit to the nation

Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, paid his first official visit to Mauritius on December 20-22. The…

19 minutes ago

PM Modi meets President of Kuwait Heritage Society, praises works of preserving India-Kuwaiti artefacts

Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal said that Prime Minister Narendra…

26 minutes ago

EAM Jaishankar honoured with Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi National Eminence Award for public leadership

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was awarded the Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi National Eminence Award for…

19 hours ago

PM Modi interacts with Indian workers at Gulf Spic Labour Camp in Kuwait

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday visited the Gulf Spic Labour Camp in Kuwait, where…

19 hours ago

INS Tushil makes first port call to London on maiden deployment

INS Tushil made its first port call to London as a part of its maiden…

19 hours ago

Kuwait: PM Modi receives grand welcome from Indian diaspora; watches cultural performance, meets 101-year-old ex-IFS officer

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, arrived in Kuwait with a rousing welcome, as members of the…

2 days ago