Russia has approved world's first coronavirus vaccine today

The first coronavirus vaccine in the world has been registered in Russia, President Vladimir Putin announced today (Tuesday). 

The vaccine, developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center, has officially been registered with Russia’s Health Ministry, Putin told a meeting of members of the government in Moscow.

Russia has become the first country in the world to grant regulatory approval to a COVID-19 vaccine  despite WHO warnings about rushing it through.

 “This morning, for the first time in the world, a vaccine against the new coronavirus was registered,”  he said during a televised video conference call with government ministers.

"I know that it works quite effectively, forms strong immunity, and I repeat, it has passed all the needed checks," Mr Putin said.

He said he hoped the country would soon start mass producing the vaccine.

He added that one of his own two daughters was among the vaccine's first recipients.

After inoculation she had a high temperature for two days, then developed immunity, and recent tests found a high level of antibodies against the virus, said Putin. 

He stressed that the vaccination will be “strictly voluntary and free of charge.” 

Regulatory approval paves the way for the mass inoculation of the Russian population and authorities hope it will allow the economy, which has been battered by fallout from the virus, to return to full capacity.

The vaccine is based on human adenovirus and contains dead COVID-19 particles which cannot multiply and are therefore safe, said Alexander Gintzburg, head of the Gamaleya center. 

However, it can provoke an immune response such as high temperature to the introduction of foreign substances, he added. 

The vaccine is called GamCovidVac, standing for “Gamaleya Covid Vaccine.” 

It is designed to be administered through two injections to prolong the immunity. The vaccine will be co-produced by the Gamaleya Center and Binnofarm, a Moscow-based pharmaceutical.

The speed at which Russia is moving to roll out its vaccine highlights its determination to win the global race for an effective product, but has stirred concerns it may be putting national prestige before sound science and safety.