Russia has approved a coronavirus vaccine developed by the Moscow-based Gamaleya Institute for use.

President Vladimir Putin said on Russia state TV on Tuesday. Reports about Russia's vaccine have come amid concerns about it's safety, effectiveness and allegations that the country has cut essential corners in it's development. Putin said Tuesday that the vaccine has gone through all the necessary checks, but Russian officials told CNN previously thta crucial phase 3trials would take place after state registration of the vaccine. Russia has released no scientific data on its vaccine testing and CNN is unable to verify its claimed safety or effectiveness.
 
 
Some health and pharmaceutical officials in Russia and the West have expressed alarm at the speed with which scientists at Moscow’s Gamaleya Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology developed the vaccine. Scientists employed testing of soldiers, accelerated clinical evaluations and shortened trial times in an attempt to be first with a vaccine.

Russia hopes to use it in a massive immunization program at home and to export it abroad under the name Sputnik V—a reference to the satellite it launched into orbit in the Cold War space race, beating the U.S.

“We should be grateful to those who have taken this first step, which is very important for our country and the whole world,” Mr. Putin told a government meeting on Tuesday, according to a Kremlin transcript.