The representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) Margaret Harris said that the procedure for the recognition of the Russian vaccine against COVID-19 was delayed due to the verification of technological processes.
“At WHO we have a procedure for inclusion in the so-called register of funds for use in emergency situations. We are asking for documentary evidence of the safety and efficacy of [the drug], as well as documentation on the production technology”, Harris said in an interview with RT.
The WHO spokesperson added that the verification of technological processes often requires a lot of time, which is spent “finding out all the details, conducting an inspection and other things, to give the green light to the vaccine.” According to her, other regulators follow a similar procedure, which can often lead to delays in the recognition of drugs.
The head of the WHO Regional Office for Europe, Hans Klug, previously said that the Russian vaccine against coronavirus infection Sputnik V could be approved in the first quarter of 2022. He stressed that the health sector, including vaccines, should be completely outside of politics.
Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), noted that Sputnik V is the most effective and safest drug in the world against COVID-19. Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Russian president, stressed that the Russian vaccine has achieved tremendous success around the world.