Hungary signs vaccine deal with Russia
The National Institute of Pharmacy and Nutrition (OGYÉI) approved the Russian vaccine for emergency use on Thursday after it made an inspection of the manufacturing process and looked into the documentation of the vaccine, the minister said in a video.
More than 100 Hungarians unfortunately die each day due to the virus and the economy loses tens of billions of forints a day because of the lockdown, so it is Hungary’s nationa interest to vaccinate, Szijjártó said, adding that the slow supply of vaccines means Hungary had to find sources elsewhere.
Under the agreement, signed last night, Hungary will buy large quantities of the Russian vaccine in three stages. The public will be informed about the quantity and the delivery schedule at a later date, the minister said.
According to the head of the Russian authority in charge of vaccines, only a small amount will be delivered to Hungary early in February. Results on the vaccine’s Phase 3 clinical trial are expected to be published next week in an international medical journal.
According to yesterday’s press reports, the deal is for at least 1 million doses f the Sputnik V vaccine.
Cover photo: Péter Szijjártó’s Facebook
