WHO cautious about Russia's approval of vaccine

WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic has said that discussions are ongoing with Russia over the prequalification of the vaccine. The process includes rigorous review and assessment of all required safety and efficacy data.

Geneva: The World Health Organization on Tuesday said it was holding talks with Russia about its newly approved COVID-19 vaccine.

But spokesman Tarik Jasarevic stressed that prequalification would include "the rigorous review and assessment of all required safety and efficacy data".

Russia on Tuesday became the first country to approve a vaccine for use in tens of thousands of its citizens.

The approval came despite global skepticism about injections that have not completed clinical trials and were studied in only dozens of people for less than two months.

AP