Russia approves third coronavirus vaccine

The Russian Ministry of Health has registered the COVID-19 vaccine "CoviVac," created at the Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immunobiological Preparations at the Russian Academy of Sciences, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said.

Report informs, citing RIA Novosti, that, according to him, the first 120,000 doses of the drug will go into civilian circulation in mid-March. The developer also plans to expand into international markets.

The drug "CoviVac" is not only the third in a row after "Sputnik V" and "EpiVacCorona," but also the third in appearance. It was developed based on a whole inactivated (sometimes they say "killed") coronavirus. When introduced, the body recognizes the antigenic composition of the virus, remembers it, and in the future must be ready for all its manifestations.

According to the director of the Chumakov Center, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Aidar Ishmukhametov, "CoviVac" will be effective against mutated strains since it uses the whole virus and not fragments of its genome.

Clinical trials began in early October until adverse events were identified. The second phase will soon be completed, and further tests will be carried out on three thousand volunteers.