Necessary To Assess Russian COVID-19 Vaccine’s Safety & Effectiveness: AIIMS Director

New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of the statutory approval of the COVID-19 vaccine for public use on Tuesday has stunned the world and raised several eyebrows.

Dr Randeep Guleria, the director of All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi said it was necessary to assess the effectiveness and safety of the Russian vaccine if it is a success.

“If Russia’s vaccine is successful, then we will have to see critically whether it is safe and effective. There should not be any side effects of the vaccine and it should provide good immunity and protection. India has the capacity for mass production of vaccine,” Dr Guleria was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Putin on Tuesday said that one of his daughters has been inoculated with the COVID-19 vaccine developed in the country. Putin also assured “sustainable immunity” against coronavirus while announcing the vaccine.