Russia develops first Covid-19 vaccine, says Vladimir Putin; gets daughter vaccinated

Amid the race to develop a Covid-19 vaccine, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the first coronavirus vaccine touted as the world’s first such vaccine too.

The president also asked Health Minister Mikhail Murashko to keep him informed about the vaccine, while at the same time noting that he knows “it works quite effectively” and “forms a stable immunity”.

“This morning, for the first time in the world, a vaccine against the new coronavirus was registered” in Russia, he said during a televised video conference call with government ministers, as per news agency AFP.

Putin further thanked everyone who worked on the first-ever vaccine against the coronavirus, and described it as “a very important step for the world”.

Putin emphasized that the vaccine underwent the necessary tests. He added that one of his two daughters has received a shot of the vaccine and is feeling well, according to Associated Press reports.