International
Scientists sceptical over efficacy of Russia’s ‘Sputnik V’ COVID-19 vaccine
Scientists are skeptical about President Vladimir Putin’s claims on Russia’s potential Covid-19 vaccine, saying the vaccine still needs critical data to determine whether it’s safe or effective.
Daniel Salmon, director of the Institute for Vaccine Safety at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in a statement on Tuesday said that developing, testing and reviewing any potential vaccine is a long, complex and expensive endeavor that typically takes months or even years.
“Phase three trials are critical” for vaccine development,” the director of the Institute for Vaccine Safety at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health told CNBC in an interview.
Medical experts warn that without a large-scale phase three clinical trial, it’s really unknown whether the vaccine even works and what potential side effects it could have on the general public.
“Phase three trials are critical” for drug and vaccine development, said Daniel Salmon, director of the Institute for Vaccine Safety at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “Would I be confident about the safety and effectiveness without a phase three? Absolutely not.”
READ ALSO: Russia’s covid-19 vaccine undergoes final test phase
Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, said he worries Russia’s vaccine approval could pressure the U.S. to deploy a vaccine before its ready.
“It could be a major mistake. It could cause a lot of harm,” he told CNBC’s “The Exchange,” adding Russia’s move was a “political stunt.”
Putin in a statement on Tuesday said that one of his daughters has already been inoculated with the vaccine, despite international skepticism.
According to the President of Russia, the cleared vaccine underwent the necessary tests and has proven efficient, offering a lasting immunity against COVID-19.
Speaking at a government meeting, Putin said that the vaccine has undergone proper testing and is safe.
Join the conversation
Opinions
Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism
Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.
As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.
If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.
Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.