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Russian vaccine can be used in Germany after certification by EMA - cabinet of ministers

The German government is of a single opinion that a safe and effective vaccine should be welcomed regardless of a laboratory that developed it, German government spokesman Steffen Seibert says

BERLIN, February 16. /TASS/. The German government is unanimous that a Russian or any other vaccine can be used in the EU countries if it is certified by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and receives a permit from the European Commission. This position was voiced by German government spokesman Steffen Seibert at a briefing on Monday.

"The German government is of a single opinion that a safe and effective vaccine should be welcomed regardless of a laboratory that developed it. Yet there is a condition that it should pass certification with the European Medicines Agency and then receive a permit from the European Commission for use in the EU," the spokesman said.

"If a Russian or any other vaccine takes this path and submits all the paperwork proving its safety and efficacy, it can be used in Germany and other EU countries," he added.

On August 11, 2020, Sputnik V became the first registered vaccine against the coronavirus worldwide. Russia has already submitted an application to register this preparation in the EU and also with the World Health Organization. On February 5, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell stated that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) will be able to certify Sputnik V since its high efficacy has already been proven.

Hungary became the first EU country to receive samples of the Sputnik V vaccine for research. In addition to Germany, Austria, Greece, Italy, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Finland have already expressed interest in the possible use of the Russian preparation or its local production in case of its approval.