The Guardian :
The World Health Organization (WHO) is in talks with Russia to get more information about the experimental Covid-19 vaccine ‘Sputnik V’ when Russia has been planning to apply this to 40,000 people next week.
Russia, last week, became the first country in the world to invent a coronavirus vaccine when President Vladimir Putin gave its approval for ‘phase 3’ testing.
It is learned that the advanced trials normally
require permission from WHO before being licensed, however, Russian officials claimed the vaccine would provide lasting immunity to Covid-19.
Catherine Smallwood, a senior emergency official at WHO, said the agency had begun direct discussions with Russia and WHO officials have been sharing the various steps and information required for the WHO to take assessments.
“We are not trying to jump to conclusions. We want to take our time to really understand where the vaccine is and to get as full information as possible on the steps that have already been taken,” she said.
The disclosure came as WHO’s director Hans Kluge said the global health body believed that Europe can combat Covid-19 without full lockdowns. “Now that authorities are better prepared and have gained knowledge about how to fight it in recent months,” he said.
“We can manage the virus and keep the economy running and an education system in operation,” he added.
The talks come after United States President Donald Trump threw his weight behind a therapeutic treatment for coronavirus using blood plasma.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is in talks with Russia to get more information about the experimental Covid-19 vaccine ‘Sputnik V’ when Russia has been planning to apply this to 40,000 people next week.
Russia, last week, became the first country in the world to invent a coronavirus vaccine when President Vladimir Putin gave its approval for ‘phase 3’ testing.
It is learned that the advanced trials normally
require permission from WHO before being licensed, however, Russian officials claimed the vaccine would provide lasting immunity to Covid-19.
Catherine Smallwood, a senior emergency official at WHO, said the agency had begun direct discussions with Russia and WHO officials have been sharing the various steps and information required for the WHO to take assessments.
“We are not trying to jump to conclusions. We want to take our time to really understand where the vaccine is and to get as full information as possible on the steps that have already been taken,” she said.
The disclosure came as WHO’s director Hans Kluge said the global health body believed that Europe can combat Covid-19 without full lockdowns. “Now that authorities are better prepared and have gained knowledge about how to fight it in recent months,” he said.
“We can manage the virus and keep the economy running and an education system in operation,” he added.
The talks come after United States President Donald Trump threw his weight behind a therapeutic treatment for coronavirus using blood plasma.
