The Daily Why Russia Is Exporting So Much Vaccine
Apr 26, 2021
In this engaging discussion, Andrew E. Kramer, a New York Times reporter based in Moscow, delves into Russia's ambitious vaccine diplomacy. He reveals how Russia prioritized exporting the Sputnik V vaccine over its citizens' needs, aiming to enhance its global influence. The conversation covers the urgency behind the vaccine's development amid strained US relations and how this strategy has allowed Russia to reposition itself from an aggressor to a humanitarian leader. Kramer also highlights vaccination disparities as Russia promotes Sputnik V internationally.
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Post-WWII Vaccine Development
- The U.S. and the Soviet Union were global leaders in vaccine science after WWII, driven by the threat of polio.
- Both nations were significantly affected by devastating outbreaks and started to focus on finding a solution.
Cold War Vaccine Collaboration
- Despite the Cold War tensions, there was a history of collaboration between the US and Soviet Union in vaccine development.
- The two countries worked together to test and develop new vaccines, and the exchange of knowledge and expertise was crucial for both nations.
Live Polio Vaccine Development
- US scientists created a live polio vaccine but couldn't test it domestically due to prior incidents.
- This led to Soviet scientists obtaining and testing the vaccine.