Russia Experiences Spike In COVID-19 Infection Cases: President Putin Receives Third Dose Of Vaccine, Ready To Take Nasal Vaccine Trials

Presiden Vladimir Putin. (Wikimedia Commons / Kremlin.ru / Press Service of the President of the Russian Federation)

JAKARTA - Russian President Vladimir Putin has received a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, saying he is ready to take part in trials of a nasal vaccine, amid a surge in cases of coronavirus infection in Russia.

President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday he had received a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, using the Sputnik Light vaccine.

"Today, I received another dose of the vaccine, Sputnik Light, on your recommendation, on the recommendation of your colleagues," he quoted TASS as saying November 22.

On Sunday, President Vladimir Putin met with the deputy director of the Gamaleya National Center for Research on Epidemiology and Microbiology, Denis Logunov.

On the same occasion, President Putin also said he was feeling better after re-vaccination.

"I was re-vaccinated two hours ago. I don't feel anything. I'm in normal condition. Everything is fine," he said.

Previously, President Putin received the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine on March 23 and the second dose on April 14. The president said he had been inoculated with the Sputnik V vaccine.

On the sidelines of his conversation with Logunov, President Putin said he was ready to take part in the trial of the COVID-19 nasal vaccine developed by Gamaleya.

"Can I take part in this experiment?" President Putin asked Logonov, after he informed the president of the new development of the research center.

"Of course," replied Logonov, adding that the president would have to sign a written consent for it.

"I will sign it. OK. I will sign without fail. We can do it today," continued President Putin.

In October, Gamaleya received permission from the Russian Ministry of Health for the second phase of clinical trials of a nasal vaccine for the coronavirus. Center director Alexander Gintsburg said the nasal vaccine would be an addition to the regular vaccine, to ensure an extra barrier against infection.

To note, Russia's COVID-19 case tally jumped by 36,970 in the last 24 hours to 9,331,158, the anti-coronavirus crisis center stated on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Russia's COVID-19 death toll jumped by 1,252 in the last 24 hours compared to 1,254 the day before to 264,095, the anti-coronavirus crisis center continued.