Israel plans to purchase 1.5 million doses of Russian vaccine against coronavirus. This was announced on Saturday, November 21, by the country’s ambassador to Russia, Alexander Ben Zvi.
He recalled that earlier the leadership of the Hadassah medical center in Jerusalem had declared interest in purchasing the Russian vaccine. The supply of the drug is possible upon completion of all necessary tests and resolving procedural issues in Israel, the high-ranking diplomat noted.
The embassy does not have precise information on technical issues on the dates of deliveries, he told Interfax. “Work on them is underway,” the Israeli ambassador added.
The issue of joint production will be worked out by specialists, while there is no information on this matter, he said. The Skolkovo branch of Hadassah is also involved in the development, helping the Russian side in clinical trials of the vaccine.
“The vaccine, which is being developed in Israel, is also in the testing stage. It is a little different – vaccination with a Russian drug takes place in two stages, while an Israeli one only needs one injection, ”added Ben Zvi.
On the eve, the Casmu Uruguayan Medical Center signed an agreement with the Russian Direct Investment Fund to supply the country with 1.5 million doses of the Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine. After WHO approval, the drug will be available in January 2021.
On November 18, WHO representative in Russia Melita Vujnovich said that WHO is optimistic about the recommendation of a Russian vaccine against coronavirus and an appropriate decision can be made in the near future.
On August 11, the world’s first vaccine against coronavirus was registered in Russia. The drug was developed by the specialists of the Center. N. Gamalei, it was named “Sputnik V”. The Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation announced the launch of the vaccine into production and issued a permit for a post-registration study.