The joint production with Russia of vaccines against the new coronavirus, including for export, will be launched in Kazakhstan next week. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced this on Friday at a meeting of the Council of CIS Heads of State.
"I would like to note the leading role of the Russian Federation in the global fight against [the coronavirus-caused disease] COVID-19, which was the first in the world to register a vaccine and start vaccinating the population. Kazakhstan is also developing its own drug, which is showing good results in testing. In the next few days, literally next week, we will launch joint production of vaccines with Russia, both Russian and Kazakh vaccines, including for export," he said.
Tokayev suggested that the CIS states, based on common interests, focus their efforts on joint combating the coronavirus infection. "Today, the primary task is to provide our citizens with broad access to antiviral [including coronavirus] vaccines," the head of state stressed.
Tokayev is convinced of the need to strengthen the potential of the CIS to adapt the integration association to new geopolitical conditions.
"I believe that our common task is to further strengthen the potential of the Commonwealth in the new geopolitical realities and strengthen its position in the international arena," he said.
Earlier, the press service of the president of Kazakhstan said that the production of the Russian vaccine against Sputnik V coronavirus would start in the republic on December 22. The launch of mass voluntary vaccination of the country's population is planned from the beginning of 2021. At the first stage, it will cover the most susceptible population groups, including doctors, teachers, and law enforcement officials.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS