According to the reports, six candidates from around the world are reportedly in phase three of human trials at present. However, Russia has claimed that one of their candidates has completed all three phases of human clinical trials successfully. Russian officials have claimed that the vaccine provided safe, stable immunity and denounced Western attempts to undermine Moscow's research.
Russia is reportedly expected to start the production of vaccine soon and already has plans for a massive, country-wide vaccine drive. The process of registering the vaccine will begin as early as 10 to 12 August. As per the news agency Bloomberg report the vaccine will be made available 'within three to seven days of registration'.
Before the 'Sputnik V' COVID-19 vaccine gets registered and arrives in the market, here are a few things to know:
'Sputnik V' Vaccine Named About First Russian Satellite
Russia has named its first COVID-19 vaccine "Sputnik V" after its Soviet-era satellite, that was the first one from the globe to get launched into space. Naming it after its satellite, Moscow has tend to showcase its success at becoming the first country to develop the vaccine for Coronavirus which has already killed almost 20 million people across the globe.
Development Process And III-Phase Human Trials Of Vaccine
As per the Deputy Health Minister Oleg Gridnev, the vaccine has been developed by the Gamalei National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, and the Russian Defence Ministry. In Phase 1, only small groups of healthy individuals receive the trial vaccine which was concluded in the first week of July. Post July 20, the vaccine candidates entered phase 2 trial which reportedly completed by August 3, 2020. In phase 3 the vaccine candidate will be tested on a large group usually over the age of 18.
How Will Sputnik V COVID-19 Work?
According to a Sputnik News report, Gamaleya National Research Centre director Alexander Gintsburghas claimed that vaccine used inanimate particles created on the basis of adenovirus. He reportedly said that there are no concerns the vaccine could cause any harm to a person's health.
Some people naturally have a fever when immune system of the person being vaccinated receives a powerful boost but this "side-effect" can easily be overcome by taking paracetamol, he added.
ALSO READ | Can Mouthwash Save You From Covid Transmission Risk? Here's What Research Study Reveals
Who Will Get COVID-19 Vaccine First?
Russian News Agency TASS reported that human trials of the Gam-COVID-Vac Lyo – the vaccine candidate from the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute – are now complete. The process of registering the vaccine will begin as early as on 12th August. As per the news agency Bloomberg report the vaccine will be made available 'within three to seven days of registration'.
It is also reported that the President had directed the government to ensure funding for flu and coronavirus vaccination after vaccines get registered and ensure up to 60 per cent of Russians get vaccinated against flu.
Meanwhile, Russian officials have said that large-scale production of the vaccine will start in September, and mass vaccination may begin as early as October.
Russia Cutting Corners To Develop Vaccine Faster Than Other Nations?
Tracing each development, it has been reported that the first and second human trials of the vaccine in Russia has been completed while the Phase-III trails are being conducted, are moving in a steady manner.
The pace with which the country is moving ahead to roll out the vaccine has raised concerns that the country might be cutting corners to develop the vaccine faster than anyone.
However, in a CNN report last month, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), Kirill Dmitriev dismissed the issue and said that the vaccine is being developed on a proven vaccine platform "It was a vaccine against Ebola, against Mers and our scientist just substituted it with the spike of Coronavirus."