On Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin confirms via televised government meeting that Russia just registered the world’s first-ever COVID-19 vaccine.
Following the waves of reports on Putin’s surprising Russian COVID-19 vaccine announcement, the Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte expressed its willingness to volunteer for the trial, Reuters reports.
The Russian COVID-19 vaccine: What do we know about it?
Per CNN, Putin spoke on a state TV confirming the approval of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine, he claims to be the “world’s first.”
The news outlet quotes Putin, saying:
“A vaccine against coronavirus has been registered for the first time in the world this morning. I know that it works quite effectively, it forms a stable immunity.”
Bloomberg notes that the vaccine has begun its Phase 3 trials last week. Spearheading the development is Moscow-based Gamaleya Institute and the Russian Direct Investment Fund.
Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova adds in during the meeting that the “Medics could begin receiving the vaccine by the end of the month.” The vaccine is codenamed Sputnik-V, which is in reference to the “1957 launch of the world’s first satellite by the Soviet Union.”
One of the things that are noteworthy about the Russian COVID-19 vaccine is its speedy development. Reports have it that its regulatory approval came only less than two months of human testing.
CNN notes that critics believe Russia “cut essential corners” for the vaccine’s development. Putin’s determination for a global push on the vaccine might be partly influenced by political pressure coming from the Kremlin.
Nonetheless, Putin is very confident about the vaccine’s effectivity, to a point that one of his own daughters had already taken it. Doubts loom the Russian vaccine for COVID-19, but Putin assures that “it has passed all the needed checks.”
PH president volunteers for trial
Meanwhile, Reuters notes that Philippine President Duterte has lauded Russia for the milestone. The media outlet further reports that Duterte will welcome a supply offer from Russia, so long as it’s free of charge.
The same publication quotes Duterte, saying, “I will tell President (Vladimir) Putin that I have huge trust in your studies in combating COVID and I believe that the vaccine that you have produced is really good for humanity.”
He then offered himself as “guinea pig” to lessen any public fears. Duterte expressed:
“I can be the first they can experiment on.”
Currently, the Philippines has one of the highest reported cases of COVID-19 in Asia. Recently, reports show that the country just recorded a new high of 6,958 cases in a day.
Last month, Duterte spoke of making a plea to China to allow the country to be one of the priorities for the coronavirus vaccine.
Featured image courtesy of Sasa Dzambic Photography/Shutterstock