Russian President Vladimir Putin has taken the Russian-made Sputnik-V vaccine to prevent corona. Although initially kept secret, this is the first time Putin has spoken directly to the media about the Sputnik-V vaccination.
The Kremlin had previously said that Putin, 68, received a two-dose vaccine in March and April, but it gave no further details and did not release images of him getting it.
Putin spoke for the first time on Wednesday about keeping the vaccine secret for months. He took two doses of the vaccine in March and April this year. However, no video footage of his vaccination has been released.
The world’s first registered corona vaccine is Sputnik Five. The vaccine has also been delivered to Mongolia and Brazil. Last May, Putin said the vaccine could be relied on like the Kalashnikov assault rifle.
That lack of publicity in Russia has come under the spotlight as govt officials concerned about slow uptake to coax or compel people to get the COVID-19 shots, which are readily available.
Putin used his annual televised phone-in on Wednesday to cast Russia’s four vaccines as highly effective and safe while taking a swipe at shots that are widely used in the West.
