- Russian scientists plan to inject frontline healthcare workers with a vaccine in just two weeks’ time
- A source told Reuters early human trials of the vaccine, which is being developed by a Moscow-based research facility, will be finished by August 3
- Phase III trials will then be launched, but Russian scientists plan to win local regulatory approval soon after to vaccinate healthcare workers by no later than August 15
- CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Kirill Dmitriev said the Russian health ministry is cutting no corners and the fast-tracked vaccine will not compromise safety
- The news comes soon after the United Kingdom’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said a hacking group linked to Russian intelligence had targeted COVID-19 research organisations
- Russia has denied the allegations
In the 2020 equivalent of the Space Race, Russia has announced its first potential COVID-19 vaccine will be released as early as August this year.
The vaccine, which is being developed by Moscow-based research facility the Gamaleya Institute, is still in Phase II trials but is expected to complete this phase on August 3. Phase III trials will then begin immediately.
At the same time, however, Russia plans to get the vaccine approved for public use and inject it into frontline healthcare workers before August 15, a development source close to the matter told Reuters.
Of course, the fast-tracking of such a vaccine might spark concerns about the safety of the product. The World Health Organisation said in February a realistic timeline for a fast-tracked vaccine is around 18 months — meaning by the organisation’s best estimates, a vaccine would only be available by around August 2021.
So, how has Russia sped this process up by one full year?
Russian scientists say the vaccine is a modified version of an already-approved vaccine used to fight other diseases, meaning the safety of the product is already largely proven.
CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Kirill Dmitriev denied on Tuesday that the vaccine rush is compromising safety.
“The Ministry of Health in Russia is following all necessary strict procedures. No corners are being cut,” Kirill said.
He likened the vaccine to Russia’s 1957 launch of the world’s first satellite, Sputnik 1.
“Just as Sputnik was the result of very talented Russian scientists… our vaccine research is based on the work of great Russian scientists,” he said.
The news of the upcoming vaccine comes soon after the United Kingdom’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said a hacking group linked to Russian intelligence had targeted COVID-19 research organisations.
The NCSC said it believes the attacks were done with the intent of stealing information and intellectual property related to COVID-19 vaccine research.
The Russian government denied the allegations.
Of course, with more than 100 potential vaccines in development around the globe, the Space Race analogy from RDIF’s head could be pertinent for more reasons than one.
When Sputnik-1 was launched, Russia became the first country to achieve space flight capability. However, many consider Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the moon roughly 12 years later as the “end” of the race.
Likewise, the winner of the vaccine race might be determined by the vaccine that proves most effective over the one which is developed first.