Moscow (CNN) Vladimir Putin announced the approval of Russia's Sputnik-V coronavirus vaccine on August 11 amid much fanfare, saying it works "quite effectively" in forming a stable immunity. Developed by the Moscow-based Gamaleya Institute, the Sputnik-V vaccine was named after the surprise 1957 launch of the world's first satellite by the Soviet Union. Russia's claim of victory at being the first to approve a coronavirus vaccine in a worldwide pandemic was initially met with widespread concern and unanswered questions over its safety and effectiveness, and not just from outside the country. For example, officially, the seasonal flu shot is not mandatory for Russian educational workers -- it is voluntary. It remains to be seen if the tide of public opinion and front-line workers will change over time too.

Source: CNN September 06, 2020 07:41 UTC