Russia approaches Modi government to collaborate on Coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V
Russia has sought India’s help to mass-produce its first Covid-19 vaccine.
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The Russian Ambassador Tuesday formally
approached the Modi government for the coronavirus vaccine – Sputnik V. Russia sought to collaborate for the mass production of the Covid-19 vaccine – Sputnik V and has also expressed its willingness to share data with India.
According to reports citing government sources, Russian Ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev has formally approached the office of the principal scientific advisor to the Government of India professor K. VijayRaghavan, Secretary DBT (Department of Biotechnology), Ranu Swarup and secretary, department of health research and Dr Balram Bhargava, who is also the director-general of the Indian Council of Medical Research.
“The Russian ambassador in India is engaging with the offices of the principal scientific advisor and the secretaries of the department of health research and department of biotechnology.
The Russian government is keen to collaborate with India on the vaccine. They have also actively shared a lot of information and data on Sputnik V but most of the safety and efficacy data that we are looking for, is yet to be shared,” a health ministry official said.
On August 11, Russia became the first country in the world to approve a coronavirus vaccine - Sputnik V | OpIndia News
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Without adequate data on its trials and efficacy it would be dangerous to mass produce it. It normally takes 8 to 10 years to approve a vaccine, but now in these times of emergency, the time may be telescoped to about a year at least. This Russian vaccine hasn't even started phase III trials which is mandatory. Will it be approved by the ICMR and WHO for mass production at this stage? That's the million dollar question.