Nigeria expresses interest in Russia’s COVID-19 Vaccine

The Federal Government has expressed interest in Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine.

Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, said this at a meeting with the Russian Ambassador to Nigeria Alexey . L Shebarshin.

“We are exploring all knowledge in terms of therapeutics & vaccines”. We are expressing our interest for the #COVID19 vaccine so that we will have the opportunity to work elaborately”. The minister said

Dr Adepimpe Adebiyi, the Director Hospital Services Department who was present at the meeting, said that this is an opportunity to expand our vaccine production.

“The technical officers will interphase with the #Russian team in order to strengthen the relationship between Nigeria & Russia”. She said

Russia licensed the two-shot vaccine for domestic use in August, the first country to do so and before any data had been published or a large-scale trial begun.

“The two 42-day trials – including 38 healthy adults each – did not find any serious adverse effects among participants, and confirmed that the vaccine candidates elicit an antibody response,” NBC news had reported

“Large, long-term trials including a placebo comparison, and further monitoring are needed to establish the long-term safety and effectiveness of the vaccine for preventing COVID-19 infection,” it said.

The vaccine is named Sputnik-V in homage to the world’s first satellite, launched by the Soviet Union. Some Western experts have warned against its use until all internationally approved testing and regulatory steps have been taken.