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Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 11 announced that Russia has developed the world's first vaccine against COVID-19 that works 'quite effectively' and forms a 'stable immunity' against the disease.
Putin's claim has come amidst concerns raised by experts about the speed of Russia's work, suggesting that researchers could be cutting corners.
The World Health Organisation urged Russia last week to follow international guidelines for producing a vaccine against COVID-19, the BBC reported.
The Russian vaccine is not among WHO's list of six vaccines that have reached phase three clinical trials, which involve more widespread testing in humans, the BBC report noted.
The vaccine, named Sputnik V, was developed jointly by the Gamaleya Research Institute and the Russian defence ministry.
The first batch of the Russian vaccine against COVID-19 is expected to be released within two weeks, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on August 12.
Dominic Xavier offers his take on the Russian vaccine which scientists are sceptical about.
Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com