Market research agency ResearchAndMarkets.com reported on Thursday that Russia has become the first country to register a COVID-19 vaccine as well as publishing a new article on the COVID-19 vaccine industry "Russia Registers First COVID-19 Vaccine."

The viral vector vaccine, which began phase 3 clinical testing last week, was developed by Moscow's Gamaleya Institute and the Russian Direct Investment Fund and is expected to provide immunity against the coronavirus for up to two years. The Russian Health Ministry intends to offer the vaccine first to healthcare workers, teachers and other high risk groups. Mass production of the vaccine is set to begin in September with a mass vaccination drive planned for October.

As of July 2020, the WHO reported that there were 26 vaccine candidates in the clinical evaluation stage including the vaccine registered in Russia. Russia is reported to have the world's fourth highest caseload with approximately 900,000 coronavirus infections.