Russia aiming to launch COVID-19 vaccine for public use by mid-August

Russia is targeting to be the first in the world to approve a COVID-19 vaccine for mass use in less than two weeks despite safety and efficacy concerns, according to a CNN report.

The adenoviral vector-based vaccine developed by Russian military and government researchers is currently in phase 2 trials.

According to the report, Russian officials are hoping to get approval for the COVID-19 vaccine developed by the Moscow-based Gamaleya Institute on Agust 10 or even before that.

The officials told the outlet that the vaccine will be approved for public use with frontline healthcare workers receiving it first.

However, Russia is yet to release the scientific data on its coronavirus vaccine trials, hence, questions remain about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, said the report.

The vaccine is in the second phase of testing with developers planning to launch the phase 3 trials sometime after August 3.

Meanwhile, health officials were more cautious considering the fact that human testing of the vaccine is incomplete, and the state registration is expected to begin after August 3.