Foreign nationals can come to Russia for COVID-19 vaccination: Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin says he is ready to open borders to foreign nationals to get vaccinated in the Russian Federation against COVID-19 by domestically-made vaccines for an undisclosed fee.
The Russian leader made the remarks during the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Friday, saying he had requested the government to prepare the way for foreign citizens seeking to receive Russian coronavirus vaccines.
Putin said that his country’s pharmaceutical industry was willing to continue to increase the production of vaccines “so we are not just fully covering our own needs.”
The Sputnik V vaccine, developed by the Moscow-based Gamaleya Institute, is the first vaccine developed in the world against the COVID-19 contagious disease. It is named after the world's first satellite launched by the Soviet Union.
“We can also provide foreign citizens with a chance to come to Russia and get vaccinated here. I know that given the efficiency of our vaccines, there is a high demand for that,” Putin added.
“In that regard, I would like to ask the government to analyze all aspects of this issue until the end of the month. So that, of course, in compliance with all safety measures and sanitary requirements to organize the conditions for foreign citizens to get a chance to get a vaccine on a commercial basis,” the Russian president further said, without specifying the cost.
Separately on Friday and on the sidelines of the SPIEF, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the so-called “vaccine tourism” might be started in a month or two, saying that Moscow planned to launch such an initiative “as there is huge demand for” it.
His comments came after Putin said Russia would create all the necessary conditions for foreigners to get vaccinated against the coronavirus on its soil.
Russia has so far approved four COVID-19 vaccines for domestic use, the most widely-used of which is Sputnik V, which has been registered in 65 countries worldwide.
The cost of Sputnik V is less than $10 per shot, with two doses required over a gap of 21 days.
Lavrov warns West against challenging Russia's resolve to defend interests
Russia urges IAEA to uphold impartiality in monitoring Iran's nuclear facilities
Russia downs over 40 Ukrainian drones as Putin vows 'destruction' on Kiev
Iraq exhuming remains of 100 Kurdish women, children killed by Saddam
Panama rejects talks with US over canal control
HTS rulers name al-Qaeda operative as Syria's new spy chief
Iran voices concern about rising insecurity, violence in Syria
VIDEO | Karachi sit-in amplifies nationwide call for justice for Parachinar victims
Iran strongly condemns Israeli bombing of Yemen's civilian infrastructure
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
VIDEO | Israel and Iran’s Nuclear Facilities?
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
