[ad_1]
MOSCOW: Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 is more than 90 percent effective, a representative from the Ministry of Health said on Monday (Nov 9), citing data collected from vaccines from the public rather than an ongoing trial. .
The comments followed a statement made Monday morning by vaccine developers Pfizer and BioNTech, who said their experimental COVID-19 vaccine was more than 90 percent effective.
“We are responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of the Sputnik V vaccine among citizens who have received it as part of the mass vaccination program,” said Oksana Drapkina, director of a research institute under the Ministry of Health, in a statement.
“According to our observations, it is also more than 90 percent. The appearance of another effective vaccine is good news for everyone,” said Drapkina.
READ: Russia requests WHO emergency use label for its COVID-19 vaccine
READ: Comment – Why rushing a COVID-19 vaccine could spell disaster
Russia reported a record 21,798 new COVID-19 infections on Monday as authorities called for stricter measures to contain the coronavirus in certain regions.
“There is a need to strengthen restrictions and control over their implementation in regions where the daily burden of cases and infection is spreading at rates significantly higher than average levels in Russia,” said Anna Popova, director of the watchdog of Russia’s consumer health, Prime Minister Mikhail. Mishustin in a televised meeting with government officials.
He said regions where restrictions should be increased include the Far East regions Magadan and Sakhalin, as well as the Arkhangelsk and Ulyanovsk regions, among others.
He added that in some regions, including the Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia regions in the North Caucasus and the Penza region, more than half the population did not wear masks on public transport and in shopping centers.
In recent months, Russian authorities have said that strict restrictions are not needed and have emphasized the importance of hygiene and safety precautions.
President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia does not plan to impose blanket restrictions or a national lockdown to curb the rise in coronavirus cases after having done so earlier in the pandemic. He said Russia would instead impose specific measures if necessary.
CHECK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments
Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
