Professor of Infectious Diseases, Nikos Sypsas, spoke about the situation of the pandemic in Greece as well as the time of a possible release of a vaccine against the coronavirus.
"Next summer in Greece we will have some vaccines, initially for vulnerable groups. We must learn to live with the virus. In order for the virus to stop in Greece, at least 70% of the population must be vaccinated," said Sypsas.
At the same time, although according to the professor the epidemiological data of Greece is in a better situation compared to other countries, complacency is not acceptable.
The biggest concern of experts regarding the spread of the virus is the so-called "orphan cases" and not the imported ones.
Of the approximately 30 cases, most are not imported, Sypsas stressed, which shows that the transmission index R has an upward trend.
"We are now seeing the first effects of the crowds from the increase in cases," he said.
Finally, the professor predicted that around Christmas, there will be successful vaccine trials in the third phase with their subsequent licensing.
Production of a Russian coronavirus vaccine could begin by the end of 2020, according to Russian Upper House Speaker Valentina Mativienko.
"By the end of the year, the Russians will be able to get the vaccine. We are definitely the first country to announce vaccines that have passed clinical trials, that is very important," Mativienko said.
As he pointed out, the vaccine can be ready within this time, as long as the work related to its development continues at the same pace.
At the same time, he stressed that Russia is open to international cooperation.
"If we start producing it, of course we will share it with all the countries that will show interest," he stressed.
On Wednesday, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Misoustin said four coronavirus vaccines that have been developed have already been shown to be safe, while clinical trials of two vaccines developed by the National Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology are in their final phase.
The Deputy Director of the National Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Denis Logunov, said mass production of the Russian vaccine would not begin until the end of 2020. He noted that it would be possible to start vaccinating at-risk groups in the fall, with the exception of the elderly and children.
