By order of President Vladimir Putin, Russia will begin the mass vaccination campaign “of the entire population” against Covid-19, while highlighting the “level of protection and the degree of safety demonstrated by Sputnik V.” I ask to launch mass vaccination of the entire population from next week and carry it out with their respective work schedule, as is done with other diseases such as influenza,” Putin said, at a government meeting.
In December, Russia began vaccinating segments of the population considered priority, especially medical and educational staff, and gradually expanded immunization to more citizens. Putin said prime minister Mikhail Mishustin told him that “the industry has not only met the promised targets and volumes, but has exceeded vaccine production targets.” The Russian president further stressed that “no other coronavirus drug has the level of protection and degree of safety that Sputnik V demonstrated” and stated, “The Russian vaccine, it is clear and the facts confirm it, it is the best in the world, I think.” In the last 24 hours, Russia reported 22,850 contagions and 566 deaths from coronavirus; as of January 13, Russia has 3,471,053 cases and 63,370 deaths.
