Have you heard the news that Russia has already approved a COVID-19 vaccine?
Somehow beating everyone else in the race to put out a safe and effective vaccine…
About That Russian COVID-19 Vaccine…
As most folks know, there are over a hundred candidate vaccines being evaluated and tested for COVID-19. Unfortunately, most of them still haven’t gotten out of the pre-clinical stage of evaluation…
The others are in various stages of Phase 1, 2, or 3 clinical trials.
So how did the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow get their COVID-19 vaccine finished and approved so quickly?
“In a startling and confusing move, Russia claimed today it had approved the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine, as the nation’s Ministry of Health issued what’s called a registration certificate for a vaccine candidate that has been tested in just 76 people.”
Russia’s approval of a COVID-19 vaccine is less than meets the press release
They skipped phase 3 trials, which are an integral part of vaccine research and development.
“The certificate allows the vaccine, developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow, to be given to “a small number of citizens from vulnerable groups,” including medical staff and the elderly, a Ministry of Health spokesperson tells Science Insider. But the certificate stipulates that the vaccine cannot be used widely until 1 January 2021, presumably after larger clinical trials have been completed.”
Russia’s approval of a COVID-19 vaccine is less than meets the press release
And while they have started to do larger trials, that’s at the same time they are already using the untested vaccine, which goes against all existing protocols.
“Making a vaccine available before even publishing something in a peer-reviewed journal is a violation of Basic Vaccinology 101. What they are doing is dangerous and grossly immoral.”
Arthur Caplan in Putin Approves First Covid-19 Vaccine Even as Trials Go On
The first lots of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine will be released within 2 weeks.
“Phase 3 clinical trial involving more than 2,000 people in Russia, a number of Middle Eastern (UAE and Saudi Arabia), and Latin American countries (Brazil and Mexico) will start on August 12.”
Sputnik V Clinical Trials
To be sure, all of the vaccine researchers and manufacturers are working hard to get their vaccines tested and approved quickly
“We can’t cut corners. We need warp speed to a safe and effective vaccine. We need to race to find a safe and effective vaccine.”
COVID-19 Vaccine: Is Our Priority Speed or Safety?
That certainly doesn’t mean skipping crucial steps that are needed to make sure the vaccines are safe and effective though.
More on the Russian COVID-19 Vaccine
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- Sputnik V Clinical Trials
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- Putin Approves First Covid-19 Vaccine Even as Trials Go On
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Last Updated on August 12, 2020