Russia supplies COVID-19 vaccine to Belarus for clinical trials

Russia has sent a first batch of its Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine to Belarus for clinical trials, the first such delivery of the vaccine abroad, Russian sovereign wealth fund the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said on Monday. 

Volunteers in Belarus would begin receiving the Russian vaccine from Oct. 1, according to RDIF, which is backing the vaccine developer.

Several countries around the globe including India have agreed to purchase the Russian vaccine. 

Moscow announced the approval of Sputnik V as the first registered COVID-19 vaccine last month and has since faced criticism and concern over the vaccine's safety and effectiveness because it skipped phase 3 of clinical trials.

(With input from Reuters)