Russia has started manufacturing the first corona-virus vaccine, according to a news break by the Interfax News Agency. The new vaccine, developed by Moscow’s Gamaleya Institute, is the first coronavirus vaccine to go into production. Russia’s health minister Mikhail Murashko has made a statement that the vaccine is in production and will be ready in less than two weeks, making it available for public use by the end of August.
For months now, we have been reading and listening on multiple conspiracies relating the topic of coming up with a vaccine for a virus that almost shut down the whole world. Hence as expected, the Russian vaccine does not come without being criticized by the west (The U.S, Canada, England) who are of the view that Moscow may be putting their research and national prestige ahead of world safety.
However, alongside western concerns, the vaccine is still set to be launched in Russia; the first dosages are designated for the doctors and health workers, after which the general population will be vaccinated. The vaccine is named Gam-Covid-Vac, standing for “Gamaleya Covid Vaccine,” and is designed to be injected through two injections to prolong the immunity.
Alexander Gintsburg, head of the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, denied the western propaganda, said the vaccine is safe because it relies on a well-researched scientific platform that goes back decades. The platform has been in development for 25 years for gene therapy, but at the end of 2014, it was also used to create drugs to fight the most rapidly changing viruses. Vaccines for Ebola, MERS, and various other diseases were created with the help of the same program that helped the creation of the COVID vaccine.
Russian authorities are confident in their research as this novel vaccine will be given to the children and the elderly. Gintsburg, who is 68, received the same vaccine five months ago and feels good registering that the vaccine is safe for the older people.
Doctors will have a follow up on vaccine receivers. Besides, a mobile app is being developed that will allow patients to effectively and quickly inform doctors of any possible issues that may arise.
