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Moscow’s coronavirus task force said on Saturday it was distributing the Sputnik V vaccine to 70 clinics, marking Russia’s first mass Covid-19 immunization.
The task force said the Russian-made vaccine would be available first to doctors and other medical workers, teachers and social workers because they are at the highest risk of exposure to the disease.
“He is working in an educational institution and has the highest priority for the Covid-19 vaccine, free of charge,” read a text message received by a Moscow school teacher early Saturday.
Moscow, the center of Russia’s coronavirus outbreak, recorded 7,993 new cases overnight, up from 6,868 the day before. This compares with about 700 new cases per day recorded in early September.
“During the first five hours, 5,000 people signed up for the jab: teachers, doctors, social workers, those who today are risking their health and their lives the most,” wrote the mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, on his personal website on Friday.
The age for those who receive vaccines is limited to 60 years. People with certain underlying health conditions, pregnant women, and those who have had a respiratory illness in the past two weeks are excluded.
Russia has developed two Covid-19 vaccines, Sputnik V, which is supported by Russia’s Direct Investment Fund, and one developed by the Siberian Institute of Vectors. Final tests for both have not yet been completed.
Scientists have raised concerns about the speed at which Russia has worked, giving regulatory go-ahead for its vaccines and launching mass vaccines before full safety and efficacy tests were completed.
Sputnik V vaccine is given as two injections, the second dose is given 21 days after the first.
Moscow closed all public places, including parks and cafes, at the end of March, with the exception of the handover, and police patrolled the streets looking for people violating the rules. The restrictions were relaxed as of mid-June.
Russia as a whole reported 28,782 new infections on Saturday, its highest daily count, bringing the national total to 2,431,731, the fourth highest in the world.
In October, restrictions such as distance learning were reintroduced for some high school students and a 30% cap on the number of workers allowed in offices.
