Vladimir Putin touts Russia's Covid-19 vaccine as effective and safe

The Russian vaccine named Sputnik-V a reference to the Soviet Union's launch of the world's first satellite in 1957 has so far been tested on two groups of 38 volunteers each

The Russian president on Thursday praised a coronavirus vaccine that Russia approved for use earlier this month as effective and safe, a clear bid to address international skepticism about the shots that have only been studied for two months in a few dozen people.

In an interview with the state Rossia 24 TV channel released Thursday, President Vladimir Putin insisted that the world's first vaccine against coronavirus to receive a government go-ahead was approved in strict accordance with Russian laws that are in line with international practice and regulations.

The claim comes after scientists around the world sounded the alarm