Putin To Be Injected Sputnik V Vaccine

Russian President Vladimir Putin (Photo: @KremlinRussia_E)

JAKARTA - Russian President Vladimir Putin will be injected with the Sputnik V vaccine to fight the coronavirus, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian state TV channel on Sunday, December 27.

"He said he would be vaccinated, he has made this decision and is waiting until all the formalities are over," Peksov said, as quoted by the Rossiya 1 TV Channel on the television channel's website.

Russia in early December launched a voluntary vaccination program with the country's Sputnik V vaccine, starting with the most vulnerable groups in Moscow.

Citizens aged 60 and over can start applying on Monday, December 28, for injections, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on his website on Sunday, December 27.

One day earlier, Saturday, December 26, the Russian Health Ministry said the vaccine was approved for use by parents after a separate trial was conducted.

Putin, 68, previously said the Russian vaccine was effective and safe. He said there was no reason for him not to be vaccinated and he was waiting for a vaccine to become available.

Since the coronavirus outbreak began to emerge in Russia, Putin has been working mostly remotely. He holds meetings via video link and travel is limited.

In August, Putin said one of his daughters had taken part in a clinical trial of the Sputnik V vaccine and felt well after that.