Russia becomes the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the registration of the world's first COVID-19 vaccine. It was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology and named Sputnik V.

Putin said one of his daughters had already received the vaccine. Russia's Health Ministry plans to start vaccinating doctors and teachers in the coming months.

Registration took place before the end of phase three clinical trials, drawing criticism from a number of Western scientists and the WHO. The Russian Direct Investment Fund said preliminary requests for the vaccine had come from more than 20 countries.

CIS countries and a number of states in Latin America and Asia have already shown interest in the vaccine.