Russian President Vladimir Putin says his country has discovered a coronavirus vaccine – and says he knows it works because he’s tested it on one of his daughters.
In claims that have been met with worldwide skepticism, Putin says the vaccine had undergone testing and been proven to provide lasting immunity against coronavirus.
“I know it has proven efficient and forms a stable immunity,” Putin said.
“We must be grateful to those who made that first step very important for our country and the entire world.”
Putin said one of his adult daughters (pictured) had received two doses of the vaccine and had experienced only minor side effects.
He said she was now feeling well and had “a high number of antibodies.”
His claims are yet to be officially backed with evidence from Russia’s health authorities.
While Russian officials say large-scale production of the vaccine wasn’t scheduled until September, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said vaccination of doctors could start this month, with “mass vaccination” to begin in October.
“We expect tens of thousands of volunteers to be vaccinated within the next months,” chief executive of the Russian Direct Investment Fund that bankrolled the vaccine, Kirill Dmitriev, told reporters.
