MINSK, February 12. /TASS/. The Belarusian Health Ministry has approved the use of the Russian Sputnik V preparation for people over 60 years of age. A corresponding statement was published on the ministry’s website on Friday.

"The Gam-COVID-Vac vaccine ("Sputnik V") has been approved by the Health Ministry of Belarus for use in people over 60 years of age," the statement said.

The agency added that Belarusian healthcare institutions began preparations for mass inoculation of residents.

"Within the framework of preparation for the inoculation, the elderly will be offered to undergo a comprehensive medical check-up observing the necessary anti-epidemic measures," the statement notes.

On October 1, 2020, the republic launched inoculation of volunteers with the Russian Sputnik V preparation within the framework of post-registration trials. Belarus became the first country following Russia to officially register this vaccine. At the end of last December, the Health Ministry announced the beginning of mass inoculation of residents. It is planned to inoculate 1.2 mln people by the end of spring.

On February 3, Belarusian Health Minister Dmitry Pinevich reported that the situation with COVID-19 in Belarus has stabilized. Earlier, the Health Ministry’s press service noted that hospitals gradually return to regular operations since the scale of the spread of the coronavirus infection is decreasing.