COVID-19... Russia to Start Mass Vaccination in 2021

Russian presidential press Spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed today, Thursday, that the situation regarding the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Russia is under control, despite the high number of new infections.

Peskov said in a press statement that the pandemic is spreading, and it is continuing, warning that the situation is already quite tense, but it is still under control.

Peskov added that Russia, in its confrontation with Corona, relies mainly on its own experience gained last spring, but it also uses the achievements of other countries.

The number of daily cases of corona in Russia today, Thursday, exceeded the 19,000 thresholds for the second consecutive day, while the total number of cases reached over 1.7 million.

On the other hand, the Russian State Scientific Center for Virus and Biotechnology Research said that the mass vaccination process for the Russian population, with the center's vaccine against the Coronavirus, is expected to begin in 2021.

The director-general of the center, Rinat Maxiotov, said in an interview with a website specialized in following up on pandemic affairs in Russia, last Monday that it is planned to launch a mass vaccination campaign in the year 2021.

Maxiotov explained that the post-registration tests for the "Epivac Corona" vaccine developed by the "Victor" Center will begin in November or December, explaining that it will include 40,000 volunteers and will last for 6 months from the date of vaccination of the last participant in the experiment.

He indicated that the vaccine will be free for Russian citizens, and the vaccination process will come on a voluntary basis.

However, Russia's President Vladimir Putin announced that the current plans do not include imposing a comprehensive closure of the country because of the spread of the Coronavirus, indicating that the measures taken have reduced the consequences of the epidemic on the national economy.

During a plenary session of the Investment Forum, Putin affirmed that Russia's vaccine tests, Sputnik V and Victor, are flowing.

He expressed his hope that the general vaccination will be launched in Russia by the end of this year.