Russia gives 800,000 people Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine

The Minister of Health in Russia, Mikhail Murashko, has revealed that the country has given 800,000 citizens the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine.

Reuters reports that Mikhail Murashko announced that Russia has given 800,000 citizens the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, the ministry of health has distributed 1.5 million doses across the country.

Vaccinated Russians will get an electronic verification certificate which the health authorities will maintain.

Russia has reported the fourth-highest number of coronavirus infections, about 3.2 million cases. 57,000 people have also died from complications due to the virus according to Johns Hopkins University data. But Russian authorities claim that the deaths are much higher, somewhere around 186,000.

Also read: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala says Nigeria will be able to access COVID-19 Vaccines from 2021

Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 has two doses that are given 21 days apart and it is 91 per cent effective. However, like is obtainable around the world; there’s a lot of doubt surrounding the vaccine even in Russia.

One of the reasons besides the several conspiracy theories is that Russia started rolling out Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine before the researchers completed all clinical trials.

Additionally, the vaccine is being distributed to countries outside Russia including East Africa, Ukraine and Venezuela.

.@jaarreaza Good news! Today the Bolivarian Government signed with the Russian Federation the agreement to start the massive vaccination of Sputnik V against COVID-19. For more obstacles, sanctions & blockades, Pres. @NicolasMaduro guarantees the health of the Venezuelan people. pic.twitter.com/3UVn4K8gCN

— Cancillería Venezuela ?? (@CancilleriaVE) December 29, 2020