Russia approves Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine for people over the age of 60

Gulf Today Report

Though the vaccine is readily available in the capital, Russia on Saturday approved its main coronavirus vaccine, Sputnik V, for use by people over the age of 60.

Russian news agencies cited the health ministry as saying relatively small batches have so far been delivered to many Russian regions as part of a mass inoculation programme, with several reporting receiving 2,000 doses or less so far.

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Some Russians took to social media on Friday to voice frustration after 300,000 doses of the country's Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine were supplied to Argentina, arguing that more shots should be made available at home, according to Reuters.

A patient suffering from the coronavirus disease is treated in the Intensive Care Unit in Moscow, Russia. File/Reuters

People over 60 have thus far been excluded from Russia’s national inoculation programme, as the shot was tested on this age group separately.

The Samara region has received 2,751 doses of Sputnik V for civilian use, according to local officials, and a further 1,000 for members of the military based there.

"Awesome! 3,000 for Samara, while Argentina gets 300,000..." wrote another Twitter user, Maria.

The Russian health ministry did not respond to a request for comment on any regional shortages of vaccine doses.