REUTERS
The Russian vaccine has not passed the final stage of clinical trials – that's besides the geopolitical aspect.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said Ukraine cannot and will not use Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against the novel coronavirus since the drug has not passed the third stage of clinical trials according to EU requirements, therefore it is unclear whether it will be 100% effective, while side effects of its use are also unknown.
"As for the Russian vaccine, even if we don't take into account the geopolitical aspects, it hasn't passed the third stage of clinical trials. That's, it can't be used in Ukraine and in more developed countries either," he told the Ukrayinska Pravda online newspaper in an interview.
Shmyhal explained the third stage of clinical trials is the most massive one, involving vaccination of tens of thousands of people. It is after the last phase that all risks and threats become clear.
"This is the most massive stage, which exposes all the risks and threats that this vaccine may bear. Therefore, today we're not talking about the purchase of a Russian vaccine," the official added.
Earlier, the WHO announced it would add the Russian Sputnik V vaccine to the list of recommended vaccines for emergency use if the drug meets mandatory criteria.
On November 18, the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility (COVAX) confirmed the reports on plans to provide Ukraine with a free vaccine against the coronavirus disease. In particular, about 4 million Ukrainian nationals will be able to get vaccinated in the first half of 2021.
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