WHO issue warning over Russia’s alleged vaccine

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A researcher at Protein Sciences moves a vial in a lab, Thursday, March 12, 2020, in Meriden, Conn. The biotech company is currently researching a vaccine for COVID-19. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

The World Health Organization has urged Russia to follow international guidelines for producing a vaccine against Covid-19 after the country said it would begin vaccinations in October.

“Sometimes individual researchers claim they have found something, which is of course, as such, great news,” WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier told reporters on Tuesday.

“But between finding or having a clue of maybe having a vaccine that works, and having gone through all the stages, is a big difference.”

Last week, the Russian government announced it was preparing to begin mass vaccinations.

However, the Russian vaccine is not among the WHO’s list of six vaccines that have reached phase three clinical trials, which involve more widespread testing in humans.