Palestine becomes first country in Middle East to register Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine - RDIF

MOSCOW. Jan 11 (Interfax) - Palestine has registered Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said.

"The Russian Direct Investment Fund is announcing the registration of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine for coronavirus by the Ministry of Health of the State of Palestine," the RDIF said in a statement on Monday.

The vaccine was registered under an accelerated authorization procedure without additional clinical trials in the country. Sputnik V was earlier registered under the same procedure in Algeria, Argentina, Bolivia, and Serbia. The vaccine is also approved for use in Belarus.

"The delivery of Sputnik V to Palestine is planned for the first quarter of 2021, with the first batch expected to arrive within a month. Supplies of the vaccine will be facilitated by the RDIF's international partners in India, China, South Korea, and other countries," the statement said.