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Starting today, 40,000 volunteers in Russia will be vaccinated against corona infection with “Sputnik V”. While politicians are eager to promote it, the public remains skeptical.
By Martha Wilczynski, ARD Studio Moscow
On the large square in front of the Kiev train station in Moscow, in the hustle and bustle after late summer work, there is no one who is voluntarily vaccinated with Russian developments.
“No, I don’t want to be vaccinated,” says Natalja. “Because I think this vaccine has not been tested enough and needs more research.” The 28-year-old says she doesn’t know anyone in her circle of acquaintances who gets vaccinated voluntarily.
Daniil also rejects a “Sputnik V” vaccination at this time: “Because you can’t develop a vaccine in six months. That’s silly.” His friend Ilja is also concerned about the possible long-term consequences of an insufficiently proven vaccine: “Who knows, maybe later there will be problems with the power, the cardiovascular system. There can be very serious problems. “
Passers-by in Moscow share the criticism of international investigators. The approval took place in a few months, when the “Sputnik V” had just passed through test phases I and II, with only 76 test people. The crucial phase III should be rescheduled now.
According to polls, half of Russians have doubts
Vaccinations begin today in the Russian capital. Up to 40,000 volunteers will participate, reportedly 5,000 people signed up in a few days.
The citizens of Moscow would have a “unique opportunity” to help defeat the coronavirus, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin wrote in his appeal. And he himself set a good example: “Otherwise, it would be difficult for me to announce a Russian vaccine,” says Sobyanin in a video link with President Vladimir Putin.
According to polls, about half of Russians still have doubts about the efficacy and safety of the vaccine. “So to make sure that we open a window of opportunity in this situation; that we really have a good domestic vaccine in Russia, I made that decision.”
Putin still wants to know if his temperature has risen after the vaccination. No, he just has a little headache, like a flu shot, Sobjanin replies.
Putins emphasized: his daughter was also vaccinated
Even Putin’s own daughter had already been vaccinated with “Sputnik V.” She, too, was nearly symptom-free, the president said in unusual detail in a television interview. And some well-known politicians have already been vaccinated, in front of the cameras. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is among them.
The volunteers, who are now being vaccinated in Moscow, will undergo medical observation for six months. But while this third testing phase is still underway, the Russian government is already planning the first nationwide mass immunization at the end of the year, especially among medical and teaching staff. Voluntarily, as they say.
