The BRICS summit was hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin. (File)
Moscow:
President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday called for a joint effort by BRICS countries on the development of coronavirus vaccines, suggesting that the Russian Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 could be produced in China and India, which are members of the bloc of five nations. .
“We believe it is important to accelerate the establishment of the BRICS vaccine research and development center, which we agreed to do two years ago, at the initiative of our South African friends. “Mr. Putin said at the 12th BRICS summit. by videoconference.
The summit, hosted by President Putin, brought together Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Mr Putin said Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine, registered in August, could be produced in China and India, reported Sputniknews, both members of the BRICS.
“The Russian Direct Investment Fund has reached agreements with its Brazilian and Indian partners to conduct clinical trials of the Sputnik V vaccine, it has also reached an agreement with pharmaceutical companies in China and India to start production of the vaccine in these countries, not only to cover their needs, but also for third countries, ”Putin said.
On August 11, Russia became the first country in the world to register a vaccine against the coronavirus, dubbed Sputnik V. The vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute, while the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) invests in the production and promotion of the vaccine abroad. . Another Russian vaccine, EpiCoronaVac, produced by the Vector Research Center, was registered in October.
President Putin said at the time that Sputnik V is working “quite efficiently” and forming “stable immunity” against the deadly disease. He had revealed that one of his daughters had tested a Russian COVID-19 vaccine on herself and that she was feeling well.
The Sputnik V vaccine has shown 92% effectiveness in preventing COVID-19, according to interim trial results announced by the country’s health ministry last week.
The vaccine was named Sputnik-V. The name refers to the surprise launch in 1957 of the world‘s first satellite by the Soviet Union.
The 12th BRICS summit was originally scheduled to be held in St. Petersburg in July, but had to be postponed due to the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
So far, the coronavirus has infected more than 54 million people worldwide and killed more than 1.3 million people even as governments implemented strict lockdowns and restrictions to slow the spread of the native virus. from the Chinese city of Wuhan.
A second wave of infections threatens to derail economies and again impact lives as countries gradually begin to ease restrictions and open up.
The BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) are known as an influential bloc that represents over 3.6 billion people, or half of the world‘s population. The BRICS countries have a combined GDP of $ 16.6 trillion.
