It’s Official! Russia’s Coronavirus Vaccine Registered and Ready for Use

MOSCOW, KOMPAS.com - On Tuesday, Russia’s coronavirus vaccine was the first in the world to be officially registered and the country declared it ready for use.

Despite this breakthrough, Russia’s move has ben met with international skepticism.

In response to the skepticism, President Vladimir Putin said that one of his daughters has already been inoculated with Russia’s coronavirus vaccine.

Scientists at home and abroad have voiced their concerns that the rush to start using the coronavirus vaccine before Phase 3 trials could backfire.

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The third phase of clinical vaccine trials normally lasts for months and involves thousands of people.

However, Vladimir Putin emphasized that Russia’s coronavirus vaccine underwent the necessary tests and has proven efficient, even offering a lasting immunity from the novel virus.

Speaking at a government meeting Tuesday, Putin said that the vaccine has undergone proper testing and is safe.

“I would like to repeat that it has passed all the necessary tests,” he said. “The most important thing is to ensure full safety of using the vaccine and its efficiency.”

The Russian leader added that one of his two adult daughters has received two shots of the vaccine. “She has taken part in the experiment,” Putin said.

Putin said that his daughter had a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit) on the day of the first vaccine injection, and then it dropped to just over 37 degrees (98.6 Fahrenheit) on the following day.

After the second shot, she again had a slight increase in temperature, but then it was all over.

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“She's feeling well and has high number of antibodies,” Putin added. He didn't specify which of his two daughters — Maria or Katerina — received the vaccine.

Russian authorities have said that medical workers, teachers and other risk groups will be the first to be inoculated.