OREANDA-NEWS. Belarus begins mass vaccination with the Russian drug Sputnik V. This was reported by the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). “Today the first batch of the vaccine arrived in Belarus,” a statement reads.

The Minister of Health of Belarus Dmitry Pinevich noted: “Today a new stage will begin in Belarus, mass vaccination against COVID-19. The first to be vaccinated will be medical workers, teachers and those citizens who, due to the peculiarities of the profession, have a lot of contact with people. Vaccination will be carried out exclusively on a voluntary basis.”

RDIF head Kirill Dmitriev said: “The next stage of cooperation between RDIF and partners will be the organization of the release of the finished form of vaccine in Belarus, which will significantly simplify logistics, accelerate the pace of vaccination and expand prevention of new coronavirus infection.”

Belarus became the first state after the Russian Federation to officially register the vaccine Sputnik V.