• Russia announces that it will launch a nationwide coronavirus vaccination campaign in October 2020, with a candidate that will enter phase III trials later this month – and receive approval from national regulators (although WHO does not have information about the trial). The vaccine is thought to be similar to one being developed at Oxford University. The haste, lack of transparency and reported attempts to steal vaccine research from researchers in Canada, the US and the UK have raised concerns among scientists. Source
• Indian regulators approve phase II/III trials of the Oxford University-Astra Zeneca — COVID-19 vaccine (COVISHIELD), to be conducted by the Serum Institute, which has announced plans to begin mass-production of hundreds of millions of vaccine doses before the trials are complete to facilitate access in India and “poorer countries”. Sources 1,2
