The number of coronavirus cases continues to increase at an alarming rate worldwide. Scientists and medical experts are making rapid efforts to produce a vaccine for covid-19 that is safe for human use. There are currently over 160 candidates for vaccines in different production stages, and 27 of these have reached human trials.
While the vaccine produced by Oxford University and drugmaker AstraZeneca is considered one of the leading contenders in the race. Russia has become the world’s first country to launch its vaccine for COVID-19.
Vaccines serve two related functions, but distinct ones. They protect people vaccinated from the infection. Vaccines reduce transmission, protecting those not vaccinated by reducing the number of people who can transmit disease, drastically decreasing spread. This concept is called herd immunity. Fair distribution of vaccines is essential for achieving herd immunity. Candidates for Covid-19 vaccines are developing faster than any other pathogen in history.
Russia became the first country to announce a vaccine for COVID-19.
President Vladimir Putin has revealed he has already vaccinated one of his daughters against the novel coronavirus. Russia has become the ‘world’s first country to record a coronavirus vaccine. President Putin has emphasized that the vaccine had passed all the necessary tests, according to agency reports.
The vaccine candidate is generated by Russia’s Gamaleya National Research Centre and Russian defense ministry. It has been raising eyebrows since its announcement as the ‘world’s first vaccine for COVID-19’ started doing rounds. According to recent updates, the coronavirus vaccine is registered on August 11, 2020.
How is the Russian vaccine for COVID-19 made?
Russia’s vaccine candidate is a viral vector vaccine based on an adenovirus combined with the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. It induces an immune response in the body. Addressing the vaccine’s safety and efficacy speculations, it is reported that coronavirus particles in the vaccine could not harm the body as they could not multiply.
WHO has advised Russia to follow protocols
The World Health Organization has already strongly advised the Russian authorities to proceed in compliance with the guidelines previously set. The main aim is to produce a safe and effective vaccine for COVID-19.
More than 150 countries are engaged in developing a vaccine for COVID-19. A global race is underway to create and mass-produce an effective vaccine to counter the new, deadly, and highly infectious coronavirus disease.
