Russia approves vaccine without completing trials

Russia has become the first country to clear a COVID-19 vaccine, but concerns immediately were raised since the substance has not yet completed clinical trials.

“It works effectively enough, forms a stable immunity and, I repeat, it has gone through all necessary tests,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said, thanking scientists for "this first, very important step for our country, and generally for the whole world.”

Putin's popularity ratings have fallen steadily amid the pandemic and the country's faltering economy, according to The New York Times.

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