Russia has announced it expects to step up production of its potential coronavirus vaccine to around 6 million doses a month, Reuters cited from a report by state-run news agency RIA. Industry minister Denis Manturov made the claim on Sunday, discussing the current production, which is expected to be between 1.5 million and 2 million doses per month. The claim comes just days after President Vladimir Putin announced that his country had developed the first vaccine to combat COVID-19. The vaccine has yet to go through advanced trials normally required to prove that it works before licensure, but Russia has decided to push ahead with a release of the vaccine. Health officials and world leaders have criticized Russia for its haste and rushing the first phases of clinical trials.

Source: Fox News August 23, 2020 14:15 UTC