Some Interested, Others Concerned over Russia’s Fast Vaccine Approval

【TRANSCRIPT】

Russia's approval of a vaccine against the new coronavirus after less than two months of human testing has caused interest and concern around the world.

Russian officials said on Wednesday that the first supplies of the vaccine would be ready for some medical workers within two weeks. They also rejected safety concerns about the vaccine, calling them "groundless."

Here are some of the reactions from around the world:

Countries that have shown interest

Israel's health minister said his country will examine Russia's COVID-19 vaccine and enter negotiations to buy it if it is found to be a "serious product."

On Wednesday, scientists in the Philippines were to meet representatives of the Russian research facility that developed the vaccine. The scientists were to discuss possibly taking part in clinical tests and looking at its research information.

The governor of Brazil's Paraná state Ratinho Junior was expected to meet with the Russian ambassador to Brazil on Wednesday. The governor hoped to discuss the terms of an agreement to produce the vaccine.

Brazil's health agency said it had not yet received a request to permit the Russian vaccine in the country. It also said it could not comment on the safety or effectiveness of it without receiving information from the Russian laboratory that developed the vaccine.

The Central Asian country of Kazakhstan plans to send government officials to Moscow later this month to discuss possibly receiving supplies of the preventive treatment.

Others showing concern

A World Health Organization (WHO) spokesman said Tuesday that Russian health officials are negotiating the process for possible WHO pre-qualification for the vaccine.

WHO spokesman Tarik Jaserevic talked to reporters in Geneva about clinical tests and what pre-qualification means. He said: "Pre-qualification of any vaccine includes the rigorous review and assessment of all required safety and efficacy data."

Jarbas Barbosa is with the Pan American Health Organization, a part of the WHO. He was asked on Tuesday about possible production of the vaccine in Brazil. He said that should not be done until Phase 2 and Phase 3 tests are completed to guarantee its safety and effectiveness.

Dr. Anthony Fauci is the top infectious disease expert in the United States. During a health care discussion at National Geographic on Tuesday, he raised questions about the Russian announcement. Fauci said, "Having a vaccine and proving that a vaccine is safe and effective are two different things."

European health experts said that without full test information, the vaccine would be difficult to trust.

German Health Minister Jens Spahn said the vaccine had not been tested enough. He said the aim was to have a safe product rather than just being first to start vaccinating people.

Mexico's top coronavirus official is Deputy Health Minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell. He said he was surprised by the Russian announcement and he added that the government would wait for more information from Russia.

I'm Mario Ritter, Jr.

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【WORDS IN THIS STORY】

groundless – adj. not based on reason or evidence

preventive – adj. intended to try to stop something that causes problems or difficulties from happening

rigorous – adj. demanding that particular rules, processes, etc. are strictly followed

efficacy – n. the ability of something to produce the results that are wanted