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Coronavirus pandemic

Sputnik V vaccine is as reliable and effective as Kalashnikov rifle - Austrian professor

In the first and second jabs different virus vectors are used, which increases efficacy, Florian Thalhammer noted

VIENNA, February 21. /TASS/. Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine has demonstrated efficacy and reliability compared to the features of a Kalashnikov rifle, chief infectious disease specialist at the Medical University of Vienna and Chairman of the Austrian Society for Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine (OEGIT) Florian Thalhammer said on Sunday.

"Sputnik V is like a Kalashnikov rifle, a Russian rifle: simple, reliable and effective. The promising data was published in a very respected journal - though late, but nevertheless. In the first and second jabs different virus vectors are used, which increases efficacy," the professor said in an interview with Kronen Zeitung.

The Austrian government told TASS on Saturday that the republic was considering Russia’s proposal on manufacturing Sputnik V vaccine in Austria. Earlier, Russia’s Ambassador to Austria Dmitry Lyubinsky told TASS the Embassy had handed over to the Austrian government information that the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) was ready to produce the Sputnik V vaccine.

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