BELGRADE, January 29. /TASS/. A new batch of the Sputnik V Russian coronavirus vaccine doses have been received in Serbia Friday, Serbian Innovation Minister Nenad Popovic told the national RTS TV.

"Less than 15 hours ago this vaccine was at the Generium plant in [Russia’s] Vladimir Region, but the jab was transported here <…> with the exceptional logistics and the support of the whole Serbian government," he underlined. "This was a serious logistical procedure that demanded that all relevant permits be obtained," the minister added.

"There is colossal interest in the Russian vaccine in the whole world," Popovic stressed. "Serbia is one of these interested countries and the fact that we received the vaccine today shows how close our relations are."

He stressed that Russian experts are expected to arrive in Serbia on February 11. The specialists will join forces with Serbian colleagues from the Torlak Institute to assess conditions and review possible opportunities to swiftly launch the Sputnik V production in Serbia.

On December 24, Serbia launched vaccination using the Pfizer jab. On December 31, the national medicine administration issued a permit for Sputnik V, beginning the inoculation campaign on January 6. On January 16, Serbia received the first batch of China’s Sinopharm vaccine. The Chinese jab obtained its permit on January 18 to use the first 100,000 doses.