Russian Ambassador to Kenya Dmitry Maksimychev was on Monday, August 17 interviewed by Anne Kiguta on the Covid-19 vaccine recently unveiled by President Vladimir Putin.
Sputnik, as the Russian vaccine is known, became the first Covid-19 vaccine in the world to be granted regulatory approval. Ongoing efforts to develop Coronavirus vaccines in other countries are currently in different trial stages.
Amb. Maksimychev sought to assure Kenyans that the vaccine was safe, and stated that he looked forward to working with the Government to deliver it to Kenyans.
He noted that while the Kenyan government was yet to make a formal request for co-operation on the issue, Health Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Mercy Mwangangi had expressed the country's interest in the vaccine through the media.
The ambassador asserted that he was ready to facilitate co-operation to deliver the vaccine to the country.
He noted that at least 20 countries had already reached out to Russia seeking the vaccine to conduct their own tests before using it on the population.
"We read in the media that the Health CAS said they will be in contact and it would my honour to facilitate such co-operation.
"We have presented something and we want to present it to the world. Those who want it are welcome. There has been a number of countries that have approached us to study and test the vaccine more.
Mwangangi had disclosed that Kenya would seek to study and analyse the vaccine before making a decision on its use.
"We definitely will plug in and work with Russia to ensure that the vaccine is safe before we use it," she stated at a media briefing.
Moreover, Maksimychev rubbished various conspiracy theories that emerged after the vaccine was unveiled, reiterating that it was safe for use.
He noted that President Vladmir Putin's own daughter had been injected with the vaccine, an indicator of Russia's confidence.
The ambassador further disclosed that a mass roll-out of the vaccine was set to begin in Russia, citing the massive campaign as evidence of the vaccine's safety.
"We think that the vaccine is safe...I don't think that we have to persuade anyone on the safety of the vaccine. We have a practical problem we have to solve. Those who have doubts should just ignore it.
"We are starting to use the vaccine on our people. What others say is interesting but it won't stop us from solving our problems," he maintained.
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