Russia waits for EU approval of domestic vaccine... EU says "No data received"

Russia, with many citizens unvaccinated, faces export suspicions
EU demands disclosure of production facilities and data...efficacy questioned

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Doubts are growing as it has been revealed that Russia, which claimed to be waiting for approval from the European Union (EU) for the Sputnik V vaccine, has not even sent the data for approval to the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which oversees vaccine approvals in the EU. The EU side is demanding production facilities and detailed efficacy and vaccination data from Russia, but Russia continues to withhold this information, leading to expectations that approval within Europe will be difficult.

According to the American political media outlet Politico on the 18th (local time), the EMA denied the earlier claim by the RDIF on the 10th that "we have applied for approval of the Sputnik V vaccine in the EU and are waiting for EMA's approval." The EMA stated, "Russia has not submitted any data for vaccine approval." Politico reported that distrust and suspicion toward the Russian vaccine are growing within the EU as a result.

According to CNN, the day before, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, also raised doubts about the reliability of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine, saying, "How can Russia, which has not even completed vaccinating its own citizens, transport millions of vaccines to other countries? Please provide an answer." Von der Leyen also emphasized, "For the Russian vaccine to receive EU approval, Russia must allow inspections of vaccine manufacturing sites and submit all data for investigation."

In response, Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Kremlin, said at a press briefing that day, "Demand for the Russian vaccine overseas is so high that it greatly exceeds production capacity," and added, "In the coming days, work will begin to produce the Russian vaccine abroad," addressing the suspicions raised by the EU. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), the state fund leading the development of Sputnik V, also announced, "Vaccinations within Russia will be completed by June this year, and exports will begin according to overseas orders thereafter."