Nearly a month after approving a coronavirus vaccine, Russia published positive data from early clinical trials of the shot, despite skepticism from scientists and Western politicians over its fast-tracked development. Officials say they expect mass vaccinations to begin by end of this year and that it would take up to 12 months to inoculate most of Russia’s population. But Moscow’s self-declared victory created a stir among the global scientific community as the vaccine’s registration was based only on early-stage trials and no scientific data had been published. Russian officials say that the vaccine’s registration is conditional and more evidence will be needed before it is rolled out to the public. Large-scale Phase 3 trials involving some 40,000 people began in late August and are expected to begin to yield answers as early as next month, officials said.

Source: Wall Street Journal September 04, 2020 13:40 UTC