Russia’s New Sputnik Launch Raises Risks in Dash for Vaccine

Public-health experts worry about haste to approve Covid shots
Decision in Russia fuels concerns on safety and confidence

Vials containing the two components of the ‘Medgamal’ COVID-19 vaccine at the Gamaleya National Research Center in Moscow, on Aug. 6.Photographer: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By James Paton and John Lauerman

August 16, 2020 at 4:00 AM UTC

Updated on

August 16, 2020 at 12:09 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Sign up here for our daily coronavirus newsletter on what you need to know, and subscribe to our Covid-19 podcast for the latest news and analysis.

Russia’s decision to approve a coronavirus shot before crucial tests have shown it’s safe and effective raises worries that politics will trump public health in the quest for a vaccine.