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Coronavirus pandemic

Russia may achieve herd immunity against COVID-19 in first half of 2021, minister says

The minister said that it is necessary to vaccinate 60% of the population to achieve that

MOSCOW, January 20. /TASS/. Herd immunity against the coronavirus can be developed in Russia as early as the first half of 2021, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko told reporters on Wednesday.

"We plan that this can be achieved during this half of the year," he said, adding that it is necessary to vaccinate 60% of the population to achieve that.

Murashko recalled that more than 2 million doses of coronavirus vaccines had been approved for use nationwide, and they were sent to Russia’s regions.

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"We see that the demand for vaccination is strong, especially among senior citizens. Today, the healthcare system has statistics that indicates that these are people over 60 years old. We recommend that people aged 55 and over pay attention to this offer to protect themselves from being infected and developing severe complications," he added.

"While developing herd immunity, we must remember about our own safety and the safety of those around us, so the vaccine is the tool that will enable us to to get back to normal life," Murashko concluded.

On January 18, Russia began mass vaccination against COVID-19. Russians can be inoculated free of charge with one of the two registered vaccines - Sputnik V or EpiVacCorona.

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