Russian President Vladimir Putin says that a coronavirus vaccine developed in the country has been registered for use and one of his daughters has already been inoculated. Speaking at a government meeting on 11 August, he said the vaccine has proven efficient during tests, offering a lasting immunity from the coronavirus.

Calling it a world first, President Putin said the vaccine, developed by Moscow’s Gamaleya Institute, offered ‘sustainable immunity’ against the coronavirus. He said he knew the vaccine was ‘quite effective’, without giving further details, and stressed that it had passed all needed checks.

Russian authorities have said that medical workers, teachers and other risk groups will be the first to be inoculated. Russia is the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine. Many scientists in the country and abroad have been skeptical, however, questioning the decision to register the vaccine before Phase 3 trials that normally last for months and involve thousands of people.

The travel and tourism industry which had come to a halt in the wake of the pandemic might benefit from the new development. But for now, we will wait and watch.