After Sputnik V, Russia now has a second Covid-19 vaccine, says Putin

Russia has granted regulatory approval to a second Covid-19 vaccine, a delighted President Vladimir Putin announced at a government meeting on Wednesday.

Putin congratulated scientists for approving the new jab, which was developed by Siberia's Vector Institute and completed early-stage human trials last month.

"We need to increase production of the first and second vaccine," he said in comments broadcast on state TV.

"We are continuing to cooperate with our foreign partners and will promote our vaccine abroad."

Russia in August became the first country to grant regulatory approval for a Covid-19 vaccine, doing so before large-scale trials were complete,