The Venezuelan people joined on Tuesday the clinical trials of EpicVacCorona, the second COVID-19 vaccine developed by Russian scientists, announced Executive Vice-president Delcy Rodríguez at a meeting held with the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Venezuela Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov in Caracas.
Rodríguez said it is an honor for Venezuela to participate in the trials of EpicVacCorona, “an extraordinary Russian vaccine whose efficacy against COVID-19 is close to 100%.”
“We want to thank the first honorary volunteer, Mr. Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov,” said the Venezuelan vice-president as the Russian diplomat received the first EpicVacCorona dose as part of the clinical trials.
Rodríguez said that the Venezuelan people can also receive this vaccine manufactured and produced by a state-owned laboratory with Russian technology.
“We have seen the development of Sputnik V by the Gamaleya Research Institute. And now the Vector Institute in Siberia joins to make this contribution to humanity. EpicVacCorona is a very good vaccine consisting of synthesized peptides, short fragments of the virus, that strengthen the immune system against COVID-19,” explained the Venezuelan vice-president.
Russia-Venezuela Cooperation
Venezuela’s fight against the pandemic is moving forward, and with allied countries like Russia, the South American country is facing the financial blockade and unfair unilateral coercive measures imposed by the United States and guaranteeing health as a fundamental right.
In this context, the Venezuelan and Russian authorities are deepening their cooperation mechanisms to fight the pandemic.
“Russia’s and China’s approach differs from the role played by some countries, which are hoarding vaccines to create a disbalance and asymmetry worldwide in the people’s access to vaccines,” stressed Rodríguez.
Finally, the Venezuelan vice-president thanked the Russian people for allowing Venezuela to participate again in these intergovernmental mechanisms that contribute to the development of humanitarian ties between the two countries.
“I thank Russia, President Vladimir Putin and their people for the extraordinary development of their medicine. Amid the second wave in our country, we are using favipiravir, a Russian strong antiviral with very good results. We know they are developing other vaccines, and we will participate there soon,” she said.
Russia has been an important allied of Venezuela in the fight against COVID-19 thanks to their excellent fraternal cooperation relations.