![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DEI462MSBUXB4MX47OUUV6SHAQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=4144b75a4c79e1261712b1044b08fca68ecc11b099cad7808c39ce55849b9bf9&width=400&height=225)
The Russian vaccine is based on the DNA of the common cold, but experts are sceptical about its effectiveness. Bloomberg
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CXMY6XQZKM2MZMYEFYRMM6XOOU.jpg?smart=true&auth=74b2a5caab1491ee133f00f609e5a261ebd551b178a8e8d9eef6d8a8a0fc5022&width=400&height=225)
The vaccine, called Sputnik V, takes its name from the Soviet-era satellite. The Russian Direct Investment Fund via Reuters
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Samples of the vaccine developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. Reuters
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The Russian vaccine is named after the Sputnik V satellite which was the first to enter orbit during the space race. Alamy
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SPE625AQPYHKQ5PD44QG36CH64.jpg?smart=true&auth=99eab57568d73b0adb06a1e322680093b7f226058c828e1515750a525d2e55cc&width=400&height=225)
The speed with which Russia has approved has stunned observers. Bloomberg
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Russian President Vladimir Putin said his daughter had already been given the vaccine. EPA / Sputnik
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Industrial production of the new vaccine is due to start next month. Bloomberg
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DEI462MSBUXB4MX47OUUV6SHAQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=4144b75a4c79e1261712b1044b08fca68ecc11b099cad7808c39ce55849b9bf9&width=400&height=225)
The Russian vaccine is based on the DNA of the common cold, but experts are sceptical about its effectiveness. Bloomberg
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CXMY6XQZKM2MZMYEFYRMM6XOOU.jpg?smart=true&auth=74b2a5caab1491ee133f00f609e5a261ebd551b178a8e8d9eef6d8a8a0fc5022&width=400&height=225)
The vaccine, called Sputnik V, takes its name from the Soviet-era satellite. The Russian Direct Investment Fund via Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I7NYSIKK2WK5EDSCSZUJIESACE.jpg?smart=true&auth=485cf427641b1d092ad56235527edefb382cf77a488e515ad93c8218c7d0f73f&width=400&height=225)
Samples of the vaccine developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RPJVMMHRQYLJR3PXR32UZRZQOU.jpg?smart=true&auth=e5c0e9883b618f7f90d81adecea157e9de29b2d032746afb373f52360ee2acbb&width=400&height=225)
The Russian vaccine is named after the Sputnik V satellite which was the first to enter orbit during the space race. Alamy
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SPE625AQPYHKQ5PD44QG36CH64.jpg?smart=true&auth=99eab57568d73b0adb06a1e322680093b7f226058c828e1515750a525d2e55cc&width=400&height=225)
The speed with which Russia has approved has stunned observers. Bloomberg
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AMWPRJZZLKDKA6BZWOHBXYP4LY.jpg?smart=true&auth=47a40cf6274f6ce143c7bba546e656066aed0153a0ce0c129eb0ef9f97299a2b&width=400&height=225)
Russian President Vladimir Putin said his daughter had already been given the vaccine. EPA / Sputnik
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PXKBCRGDT2DVCY57Q3SMPKZ5BY.jpg?smart=true&auth=a42e2281831c69ac931a8d336fc197e0513ac816567b7cd1e04874eccfe1f8e5&width=400&height=225)
Industrial production of the new vaccine is due to start next month. Bloomberg
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DEI462MSBUXB4MX47OUUV6SHAQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=4144b75a4c79e1261712b1044b08fca68ecc11b099cad7808c39ce55849b9bf9&width=400&height=225)
The Russian vaccine is based on the DNA of the common cold, but experts are sceptical about its effectiveness. Bloomberg
Russian vaccine: Sputnik V is Moscow's champion in a global race against the pandemic
Speed at which Russia’s vaccine has been approved confounds all previous benchmarks
Tim Kiek
14 August, 2020
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