Statement by the Russian Ambassador to Ireland Yuriy Filatov

 

THE WORLD NEEDS VACCINES NOT POLITICS

More than a year after global spread of the COVID-19 infection, no one doubts that vaccination will play one of the key roles in putting an end to the pandemic and returning to normal life. The issue now is to provide as many vaccines as possible.

Since the very outset of the pandemic Russia has been actively engaged in massive research aimed at developing effective COVID-19 vaccines. This work has been done by major immunology research centers in Russia, known worldwide for its contribution to the development of drugs and vaccines against dangerous infections which were successfully used before in many countries and regions. This resulted in introduction of Sputnik V, which became the first registered vaccine against coronavirus in the world. Developed by the Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology it is one of the most effective and safe vaccines showing efficacy of 91.6% and is the main vaccine in the rollout in Russia.  Other Russian research institutions followed the lead. Jabs of the second Russian-made vaccine EpiVacCorona by the State Scientific Center of Virology and Biotechnology "Vector", which successfully passed necessary clinical trials and was duly registered, have been administered in Russian regions since mid-February. The third vaccine CoviVac, developed at the Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune and Biological Products, was registered on February 20. Its rollout is expected to begin imminently. All vaccines are unique and do not duplicate each other. This creates flexibilities in inoculating different categories of people depending on their age and preconditions.

At first, the success of the Russian scientists was met with certain skepticism based on false perceptions that they “cut corners” by having registered a vaccine allegedly without adequate scientific data. Some of the concerns expressed were genuine, others were clearly prejudiced and politicized. Life has proven all sceptics wrong. The publication in the reputable scientific journal "Lancet" confirmed the high efficacy and safety of Sputnik V, which led to its recognition by the international scientific community.

Henceforth, there has been a great interest in Sputnik V in many quarters of the world.  As of today, this vaccine is approved for use in 51 countries with a total population of over 1.3 billion people. Russia continues to receive many requests from partners, including the EU members, for direct supplies of Sputnik V. Interestingly, many Irish citizens and media representatives regularly write to the Embassy asking if the Irish government contacted on the issue of  Sputnik V supplies and seeking the ways to receive the Russian jab. I would like to assure all of them that we would like to help and are open for any discussions on vaccine supplies to Ireland as well as other aspects of cooperation with the Russian vaccine producers – if there is an interest on the Irish Government side.

Russia has not been in political “vaccine race” and Sputnik V rollout is not a propaganda exercise. Public health, both domestically and internationally, is at stake. Nobody is safe until everybody is safe – that is the ruling principle for Russia. Though our abilities have limits, we are ready to share what we have. Sputnik V and other Russian vaccines are the part of the common global effort to curtail the pandemic. Aside from Sputnik V, there is a number of other vaccines developed in China, the EU, the USA, Great Britain and that is good – the more, the better.

In this regard, it is particularly strange to hear from the EU leaders in Brussels allegations about Russia playing “geopolitical games” with vaccines. We understand frustration of some high-ranking EU officials in the face of current vaccines procurement and distribution problems but “Russia bashing” is definitely not a way to solve them. Since the registration of Sputnik V, Russia has been offering collaboration to all interested parties, regardless of political considerations and with no strings attached. In the situation when countries need to address the pandemic jointly and solve the problem of vaccines shortages, there is no place for politicking around COVID-19. We look forward to cooperation, not competition.

 

Yuriy Filatov,

Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Ireland

March, 2021