Syria has received a first shipment of Russian Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine, Russia's Interfax news agency reported on Thursday, quoting the Syrian ambassador to Russia.

Ambassador Riad Haddad did not say how big the shipment was but said the vaccine was now being administered to the public. Doctors and the country's senior leaders were among those to get the first shots.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said Russia is likely to send further supplies to Syria.