Russia authorizes second COVID-19 vaccine after initial trials

FILE PHOTO: Photo shows vials of vaccine, called "GamCovidVac", in Moscow, Russia. /Getty Images

Russia has allowed regulatory approval to a second COVID-19 vaccine, according to register of authorized medicines.

EpiVacCorona, is the second vaccine to be licensed for use in Russia, after Sputnik V, which had been licensed for domestic use in August.

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the news during a government meeting on Wednesday.

"We need to increase production of the first and second vaccine," Putin said in remarks aired on state TV.

"We are continuing to cooperate with our foreign partners and will promote our vaccine abroad."

The vaccine was developed by the Vector Institute in Siberia and, in September, went through early-stage human trials.

Despite that, results are yet to be publicized and a mass trial, known as Phase III, has not yet begun.

The peptide-based vaccine is likely to have mass human trials in November or December, according to the TASS news agency which quoted the consumer safety watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor. An estimated 30,000 volunteers are expected to be involved in it.

Russia has the fourth highest number of coronavirus infections in the world behind the United States, India and Brazil.

(With input from Reuters)