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VIRUS-GERMANY-RUSSIA-VACCINE
Germany offers Russia support in Sputnik vaccine development: Merkel
BERLIN, Jan 21, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – Germany has offered Russia support in
Moscow’s development of its Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, Chancellor Angela
Merkel said Thursday.
Russian authorities said Wednesday they have applied for registration of
the Sputnik V in the European Union.
“Beyond all the political differences that are currently large, we can
nevertheless work together in a pandemic, in a humanitarian area,” Merkel
told journalists.
On Moscow’s application to the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the German
leader said she has “offered that our Paul Ehrlich Institute … support
Russia on it”.
The Paul Ehrlich Institute is Germany’s medicine regulatory body.
“And if this vaccine is approved by the EMA, then we can talk about joint
production or also about usage,” Merkel said.
Russia in August registered Sputnik V — named after the Soviet-era
satellite — months ahead of Western competitors but before the start of
large-scale clinical trials, which left some experts wary.
Its developers have since said that the jab is more than 90 percent
effective and Russia launched its mass vaccination campaign using the shot
this week.
The Russian Direct Investment Fund which helped develop the vaccine, says
Sputnik has already been registered in a number of countries including
Belarus, Venezuela, Bolivia and Algeria.
Argentina began administering second doses of Sputnik V this week, having
begun its immunisation campaign in late December.
BSS/AFP/IJ/1848 hrs