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Updated March 22nd, 2021 at 20:32 IST

Putin: Russia won't impose vaccine on other countries

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that Russia was not imposing its Sputnik V vaccine on anyone, after the European Union said it did not need the Sputnik V shot.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that Russia was not imposing its Sputnik V vaccine on anyone, after the European Union said it did not need the Sputnik V shot.

Speaking during a video meeting with government officials during which he said he was getting his COVID-19 vaccination on Tuesday, Putin suggested the European Commission was protecting the "interests of pharmaceutical companies".

The European Union’s executive arm has been criticised for a slow vaccine rollout and is increasing its pressure on pharmaceutical companies to speed up their vaccine delivery as virus numbers are rising again in many member countries.

The European Commission says AstraZeneca in particular could face export bans to countries outside the EU if it didn’t quickly deliver the promised amount of vaccines to the 27-nation bloc.

But on Sunday the head of the EU executive's vaccine task force, Thierry Breton, said the EU had "absolutely no need" of the Russian-made vaccine.

Despite skepticism about Russia's hasty introduction of the vaccine, which was rolled out before it had completed late-stage trials, the vaccine appears to be safe and effective.

According to a study published in the Lancet, Sputnik V is 91% effective and appears to prevent inoculated individuals from becoming severely ill with COVID-19, although it's still unclear if the vaccine can prevent the spread of the disease.

Russia’s sovereign wealth fund announced a manufacturing deal with the Indian pharmaceutical maker Virchow Biotech Private Limited for making 200 million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine each year.

This is the fourth manufacturing deal announced by Russia, and 700 million doses of the Russian vaccine will now be made in India.

 

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Published March 22nd, 2021 at 20:32 IST

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