Russian COVID Vaccine Successfully Tested on Humans as Volunteers Show Immune Response

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The final check-up of volunteers testing the coronavirus vaccine at the Burdenko Hospital in Russia showed immunity in all participants, the Russian Defence Ministry said Monday.

According to the ministry, the check-ups were held at a key ministry hospital earlier on Monday. The vaccine is being developed jointly by the ministry and the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology.

"The results of the check-up clearly demonstrate an unmistakable immune response attained through the vaccination. No side effects or issues with the body of the volunteers were found", the ministry said.

Two Russian universities are working on the development of a vaccine

© Sputnik / Ilya Pitalev

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The news comes after another research facility, the State Research Centre of Virology and Biotechnology Vektor, announced plans to begin production of a vaccine against the coronavirus in November. According to Vektor, the vaccination will be free of charge in Russia.

Centre’s Director-General Rinat Maksyutov said that a phased transition from vaccinating special and at-risk groups to mass vaccination can be expected for late this year and early 2021.

Health workers and teachers will be prioritised to receive the vaccinations in the first order while studies of vaccinated patients will continue in tandem, according to Russian Minister of Health Mikhail Murashko.