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COVID-19 won’t go anywhere, there is the need to get vaccinated — Putin

Russia launched mass vaccination of citizens above 18 years of age on January 18

MOSCOW, June 30. /TASS/. The COVID-19 pandemic won’t go anywhere: in order to defeat it there is the need to get inoculated, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during his Q&A session, known as the Direct Line, on Wednesday.

"No, it [COVID-19] won’t go anywhere — there is the need to get vaccinated," Putin said in a comment on a remark by a TV presenter, who expressed hope that the virus would soon disappear.

Russia launched mass vaccination of citizens above 18 years of age on January 18. Four Russian vaccines against COVID-19 have been registered in the country now. The most widespread drug is Sputnik V developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology.

In Russia, vaccination against coronavirus is voluntary. Compulsory jabs are required only in some regions and for certain groups of citizens, including staff of the services sector.

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