The Federal Government on Friday received samples of Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine.

The samples were delivered to the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire by Russia’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Alexey Shebarshin, during a visit to the ministry in Abuja.

Also present at the event were the Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora; top management of the Health Ministry and other Nigerian Scientists.

This was contained in a statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Information, Media, and Public Relations, Olujimi Oyetomi.

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The statement was titled, ‘Russian Federation Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Alexey L. Shebarshin on courtesy visit to Nigeria’s Health Ministers, Russian-made COVID-19 Vaccine finally here.’

Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin had approved a vaccine which he claimed offered “sustainable immunity” against the lethal coronavirus.

The World Health Organisation had subsequently said it would review the effectiveness of the vaccine.

Ehanire on Friday also said the vaccine would be “quickly referred” to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control as well as the Nigeria Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development, amongst other agencies, for review and possible validation.

The need for a vaccine has become more urgent globally and nationally with Nigeria recording over 50,000 COVID-19 infections and over 1,000 associated fatalities, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.