Russia aims to distribute vaccine doses for 500M people globally in 2021

FILE PHOTO: Empty vials of the second dose of the Sputnik V (Gam-COVID-Vac) vaccine are pictured at the San Martin hospital, in La Plata, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina January 21, 2021. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/File Photo

MANILA, Philippines — Russia is aiming to produce doses of its Covid-19 vaccine for 500 million people worldwide this year,  an official of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund Russian Direct Investment Fund said Wednesday.

“We believe we can provide vaccines for more than 500 million people worldwide this year,” Kirill Dmitriev, chief executive officer of RDIF, which finances the production of Sputnik V vaccines, said in an interview over ABS CBN News Channel.

Dmitriev said four million vaccine doses have so far been distributed in Russia for its mass vaccination program, which aims to vaccinate 60 million people by June.

Massive roll out of its Covid-19 vaccine is expected to start in May and June but Russia has already distributed vaccine doses in some countries.

Dmitriev said 12 countries will start vaccinating their citizens with the Sputnik V vaccine this week, however, he did not name the nations.

He touted the efficacy rate of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine in protecting against Covid-19, which stands at 91.6%, and 100% in preventing severe cases of Covid-19.

Sputnik V vaccines require two doses.

Russia’s Gamaleya Institute, which manufactures the vaccine, has applied for an emergency use authorization (EUA) in the Philippines. Dmitriev said the Sputnik V vaccine has so far been registered in 16 countries worldwide.

Dmitriev said he hopes the EUA will get approved soon but the governments of Russia and Philippines are already in talks for the supply of the vaccine.

“We believe the Philippines is a great priority for us and we have been working with your chief for quite some time so we are looking for finalization of registration of the vaccine in the Philippines and to start supplying the vaccine to the Philippine market,” he said.

EDV

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