Putin suggested that WHO accelerate the recognition of new vaccines against COVID-19

The World HEALTH Organization (WHO) could speed up the procedures for the recognition of new vaccines and drugs to combat CORONAVIRUS infection, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum. The transcript is posted on the Kremlin website.

In his opinion, countries in need cannot get access to vaccines, among other things, “due to unfair competition, protectionism, due to the unwillingness of a number of states to mutually recognize vaccines and vaccine certificates,” while many countries cannot get access to drugs which are needed.

“With our common assistance, the World Health Organization could be even more actively engaged in mass immunization of the population,” Putin said.

The President stressed that RUSSIA is offering partners to use the Russian vaccine Sputnik V and the one-component drug Sputnik Light, among other things, to improve the effectiveness of other vaccines.

The President believes that the sooner countries come to mutual recognition of vaccines and vaccine certificates, the easier it will be to resume full-fledged global business and tourism activity.