Russia likely to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19 in September

Russia has vaccinated 12.1 million people against COVID-19, of whom 7.7 million have had both doses, Russian deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said at a meeting of the Council of Legislators of the Russian Federation on Tuesday.

"As many as 12.1 mln of our fellow citizens have received their first vaccine dose and 7.7 mln have been fully vaccinated," she revealed.

Golikova specified that 28 mln double vaccine doses had been produced in Russia and 17.4 mln had been released for public distribution. According to her, most of the available shots are the Sputnik V vaccine because its production was the first to be launched. Golikova added that the number of vaccine shots undergoing quality control procedures accounts for the difference between the amount of the produced vaccines and those released for civilian distribution.

The official noted that herd immunity in the country could be achieved by September 2021.

Golikova also told state television there was a risk of a seasonal rise in COVID-19 cases in May.

Russia reported 8,053 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, including 2,098 in Moscow, taking the official national tally since the pandemic began to 4,779,425.