Laos govt discussing with Russia for supply of Covid-19 vaccine

VIENTIANE, Aug 27 (The Vientiane Times/ANN): Laos’ health minister and the Russian ambassador to Laos have discussed the possibility of providing Laos with the Russian-made Covid-19 vaccine ‘Sputnik V’ after its certification in Russia is complete, according to the Russian embassy.

Ambassador Vladimir A. Kalinin called on Dr Bounkong Syhavong last week and discussed the matter.

“The parties discussed the possibility of supplying the Russian vaccine “Sputnik V” to Laos after the third stage of the certification procedure in Russia is complete, ” a source at the embassy told Vientiane Times.

Russia presented its Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine earlier this month and officially registered the vaccine on August 11.

The Russian health ministry said the Russian Gamaleya research centre has received permission to conduct post-registration clinical trials of the coronavirus vaccine, the Sputnik News Agency reported on August 25.

The trials will be carried out in several state-run medical institutions in Moscow.

Some 40,000 volunteers aged 18 years and over will take part in the trials. The participation of each volunteer will last for six months from the day he or she receives the vaccine, according to the Russian news agency.

The Russian Ministry of Health said Sputnik V had undergone all the necessary checks and had been proven to be capable of building immunity against the virus.

More than 20 countries have asked to buy a billion doses of the vaccine.

By the end of this year, Russia plans to produce about one and a half to two million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. Russia is expected to manufacture Sputnik V in five countries, which will boost production to 500 million doses a year, Sputnik reported.

During last week’s talks, the Lao minister and the Russian ambassador discussed future cooperation to improve the professional knowledge and skills of medical staff and upgrade equipment at Mittaphab Hospital, which has been allocated for the treatment of Covid-19 patients, according to the Lao health ministry.

The parties also agreed that medical experts from both countries would partner in efforts to prevent and control Covid-19.

In addition to cooperation with Russia in the fight against Covid-19, China has promised to give priority to providing Covid-19 vaccines to the Mekong countries, including Laos, once a vaccine is developed and put into use, the Xinhua News Agency reported on August 24, citing Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

Premier Li made the remarks when attending the third Lancang-Mekong Cooperation leaders’ meeting via video link this week. - Vientiane Times/Asian News Network