Interview with RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev. The main thing

On the likelihood of a third wave of the pandemic

“Where there is no large-scale vaccination, there will be new waves over time. An additional risk, as I said, is associated with virus mutations. In the near future, an article will be published in one of the international scientific publications, which confirms that Sputnik V turned out to be the most effective among other vaccines in combating existing types of virus mutations. <...> As a result, the forecast that the world will defeat the coronavirus this year does not come true. Firstly, because in many countries vaccination has not even begun yet or is carried out in minimal volumes. Secondly, there will be a struggle and a race between new, more complex mutations [of the virus] and those modifications of the vaccine that will be produced and that will still allow us to defeat the coronavirus. But only under the condition of large-scale vaccination of the majority of the world's population.

How to convince Russians to get vaccinated

“The first thesis is very simple: very bad consequences of not [vaccinating]. The consequences of even a mild form of COVID-19 can be very serious, with many experiencing various kinds of neurological problems after recovery and other long-term health consequences. And the second thesis is that it is wrong not to be vaccinated with a vaccine that is recognized in the world as one of the most effective, reliable and safe. The approach to vaccination should be like brushing your teeth: that is, you can probably not brush your teeth, but this is not accepted by society. And those people who are not vaccinated not only take big risks, but also carry them to those around them and loved ones.”