Putin Claims Russia Is The First Country In The World To Have A COVID-19 Vaccine

JAKARTA - Russia claims to be the first country to have a COVID-19 vaccine. This is because they have passed the government approval stage by obtaining permission from President Vladimir Putin. Putin called on Russian health authorities to immediately complete the third phase of the vaccine trial in less than two months.

Putin said the COVID-19 vaccine had been developed by Moscow's Gamaleya Institute. With confidence, he guaranteed that the COVID-19 vaccine that was made was safe. In fact, he admitted that the vaccine had been given to one of his daughters.

"I know this vaccine works quite effectively, builds strong immunity. And I repeat, it has passed all the necessary tests," said Putin Wednesday, August 11. Her blessing has paved the way for a vaccine to be mass produced soon.

Putin's approval marks the start of vaccine trials on a larger scale involving thousands of people, also known as the third phase. This stage requires a certain number of participants to have contracted the virus in order to observe the effect of the vaccine.

Meanwhile, Russian health workers who daily treat COVID-19 patients will be offered to be the first volunteers to be vaccinated. This is good news for the world, especially Russia regarding the response to COVID-19.

To note, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), currently more than 100 vaccines have been developed around the world. However, only four vaccines have been recorded as being in phase three trials. Countries in the world also believe that developing a vaccine that is too fast will not endanger safety.