Russia rushes its COVID-19 vaccine. Why all is not what it seems

honor guard 67636 1280Russia --yes the Russia that exerts special influence on our president-- has done a poor job of keeping the COVID-19 virus in check. But now they claim to have a safe and effective vaccine that's ready to go.I'm quoted in the International Business Times (Questions Surround Russia's Ability to Deliver a Safe, Effective Coronavirus Vaccine)Some suggest that the vaccine may not be safe – or effective.

“It's obvious that the Russians are rushing the vaccine to market without adequate testing,” David Eugene Williams, president at Health Business Group, told International Business Times in an email. “It's possible that the vaccine will work, but there hasn't been enough time to verify that it's both safe and effective. The Russians haven't released any data that would support their claims.”“I don't think people will travel to Russia to receive the vaccine because, 1) they won't trust that it will work, 2) they could get COVID-19 on their travels to Russia, and 3) the Russians may allocate it to their own citizens,” he said.

It would be great if the Russian vaccine works. But we'll have to wait and see --which is something the developers haven't done.


By healthcare business consultant David E. Williams, president of Health Business Group.

Previous
Previous

COVID-19 contact tracing. The 7 keys to success

Next
Next

Telehealth, visualization and the pandemic