Researchers ‘impressed but unsurprised’ over Russia’s Covid-19 vaccine development – The National

Researchers ‘impressed but unsurprised’ over Russia’s Covid-19 vaccine development – The National

Moscow officials hope their vaccine will gain approval for widespread use in the next two weeks





























A scientist prepares samples during the research and development of a vaccine against the coronavirus disease at a laboratory of BIOCAD biotechnology company in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Reuters











The news that Russia could approve a coronavirus vaccine for use in August has caused an international stir - but experts are not surprised the country is moving ahead fast.



Moscow officials hope their vaccine will gain approval for widespread use in the next two weeks with manufacturing to begin the following month.



Development of the vaccine at the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology in the Russian capital has been financed by the government-controlled Russian Direct Investment Fund.



Prof John Oxford, co-author of the textbook Human Virology, said he was "impressed but not surprised“ at how advanced the programme was.



"This is coming from the Gamaleya institute - a pretty big research institute in Moscow “¦ They will make sure the testing is of international standards so it can be cross-licensed abroad as well as in Russia,“