The first batch of Russia’s Sputnik V anti-coronavirus vaccine has been released in public, reported Russian news agency TASS, citing a statement by the country’s health ministry. Regional deliveries would take place soon, it added.

“The first batch of the Sputnik V vaccine for the prevention of the new coronavirus infection, developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, has passed the necessary quality tests in the laboratories of Roszdravnadzor (medical device regulator) and has been released into civil circulation,” the ministry said in the statement.

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In the first stage, the high-risk group citizens which include doctors and teachers will be vaccinated. Results published in the medical journal The Lancet had shown that Russia’s coronavirus vaccine produced an antibody response in all participants in early-stage trials.

On August 11, Russia had become the first country across the globe to register a vaccine against the coronavirus infection. The country, however, received flak from scientists and experts for not carrying out Phase 3 trials to determine its safety.

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A vaccine is considered safe to be commercially available only after Phase 3 – a much larger efficacy trial involving thousands of participants.

Russia began its phase 3 efficacy trials only on August 26, as Moscow mayor called upon citizens to participate in the process. Meanwhile, Russia expects to produce 2 million doses per month by the end of 2020. Subsequently, it plans to boost production to 6 million.