Did Russia’s Elite Get Access To Experimental COVID-19 Vaccine In April?

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Moscow: Russia seems to be racing ahead in developing an experimental vaccine against COVID-19. Hindustan Times (HT) quoted people familiar with the effort as saying that scores of members of Russia’s business and political elite have already been given early access to the vaccine.

Among those who have already got shots (in April) developed by the state-run Gamaleya Institute in Moscow are top executives at companies including aluminum giant United Co. The people declined to be identified as the information isn’t public, HT reported.

The military-backed Gamaleya vaccine is financed by the state-run Russian Direct Investment Fund. The phase 1 trial involved Russian military personnel. The study involved about 40 people but the institute has not published the results. Nevertheless, it has begun the next stage of trials with a larger group, HT reported.

However, there was no official statement on the same either from Gamelya or from the government.