Hungary Approves Russian Coronavirus Vaccine For Use

A health worker shows vials of Russian Sputnik V (left) and Chinese Sinopharm vaccines.

Hungary has become the first European Union member to approve the Russian-developed Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine for general use.

The government said on February 7 that some 40,000 doses of the vaccine were ready to be distributed.

In all, Hungary has ordered 2 million doses over the next three months.

Prominent medical journal The Lancet reported earlier this month that testing showed Sputnik V to be 91.6 percent effective against symptomatic COVID-19.

Hungary is also the first EU country to order a Chinese-developed vaccine, having placed an order for 5 million doses of the Sinopharm vaccine.

The government said it expected to begin using the Chinese vaccine later this month.

Based on reporting by dpa, The Moscow Times, and TASS