"Exchange information with foreign colleagues": Russian scientists received samples of the British strain of coronavirus

Russian specialists have received samples of a new strain of coronavirus detected in the UK, said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

“Russian scientists, having received the appropriate samples, are intensively working to study it,” Zakharova said during the briefing.

According to Zakharova, Russian scientists exchange information with foreign colleagues and representatives of the World Health Organization.

Recall that over the past 10 days, the UK authorities announced the discovery of two new strains of coronavirus.

At the same time, it was noted that both new variants of SARS-CoV-2 are more infectious and therefore spread faster than the "original".

At the same time, representatives of the British leadership emphasized that at the moment there is no evidence that the detected strains of coronavirus lead to a more severe form of the disease.

Nevertheless, restrictive measures were tightened in a number of areas in the south-east of England.

Against the background of these events, a number of states, including Russia, announced the suspension of transport links with the United Kingdom.

30 million doses of Russian vaccine

Meanwhile, in Russia by July 2021, it is planned to release up to 30 million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus infection COVID-19, said the head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov.

“In January, according to the plans that were adjusted in November, this is 3.5 (million doses -

RT

), then this escalates to 18 million by April and to 30 million by July,” the minister said in an interview with RBC.

According to him, there is "a certain optimism that this can happen even faster."

In addition, Manturov mentioned that a powder form of the coronavirus vaccine is expected to appear in 2021.

“Plus the new form, which will appear next year, is a lyophilisate, that is, a powder that will mix with the medium on the spot and turn into full-fledged vaccines,” he said.

In turn, the head of the Center.

Gamalei Alexander Gunzburg believes that the Sputnik V vaccine will provide protection against a new variety of COVID-19, which was found in the UK.

He explained that the vaccine creates immunity to the entire COVID-19 spike protein, and the new type of virus changes only one small dot on the surface of this protein.

At the Center.

The Gamaleis also talked about plans to provide vaccines to 1.5 million Russians by the end of the year.

"There is every reason to believe, based on how much is already added to the warehouse, that about one and a half million of our citizens will be provided with this vaccine before the New Year," TASS quotes Gintsburg.

Along with this, he said that experts did not identify side effects in 85% of those vaccinated against the coronavirus with the Sputnik V drug.

"Based on the three phases of the tests, the following was recorded: 85% of the vaccinated have no side effects," TASS quotes him.

According to Gunzburg, "Sputnik V" poses no danger to those who were vaccinated with it.

He added that trials of the drug in people over 60 years old have been completed, with the results being "very positive."

“It can be argued with a certain degree that in the coming days a decision will be made on the possibility of using the Sputnik V vaccine to vaccinate the population from 18 years of age and without age restrictions,” he said.

Against the background of these events, it also became known that an aircraft arrived in Argentina with the first batch of the Sputnik V vaccine.

Expanding Categories for COVID-19 Vaccination

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said that from December 28, the list of categories of persons who can be vaccinated against coronavirus will be expanded. 

"These are employed in the housing and communal services, public catering, sports and law enforcement agencies, including the police, prosecutor's office, courts and so on," - says the message published on the mayor's website.

Earlier, on December 21, such categories of the population as workers in transport, energy, industry and media workers received the opportunity to vaccinate.

In addition, Sobyanin expressed confidence that the capital will cope with the pandemic, and urged "not to become discouraged."

“Moscow coped with not such difficulties, we will cope with this one, there will be a holiday on our street, a real holiday,” the capital's mayor said on the air of the Russia 24 TV channel.

Sobyanin also noted that the capital coped with the work during the pandemic "not worse than the most developed megacities in the world."

“If it were not for such a team, well-coordinated work, I am convinced that we would not have coped with this,” the mayor said.