Russia registers first Covid vaccine, hopes to begin mass inoculation soon

President Vladimir Putin said Russia cleared the world’s first Covid-19 vaccine for use and hopes to begin mass inoculation soon, even before clinical testing has finished.

“The first registration has taken place,” Putin said Tuesday at a televised government meeting, adding that one of his daughters has already been given the vaccine. “I hope that we can soon begin mass production.”
 

The move clears the way for widespread use of the vaccine among Russia’s population, with production starting next month, although it may take until January to complete trials.