Russian Institute Approves Sputnik Vaccines Made by Serbia's Torlak

First control series of the Sputnik V vaccine by the Torlak Institute (BETAPHOTO/Kabinet za inovacije i tehnoloski razvoj /MILOS PERIC/MO)

Serbia's minister without portfolio, Nenad Popovic, said on Sept. 1 that the Russian Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology approved 550,000 Sputnik V vaccines made by the Serbian Torlak institute until Aug. 13.

Popovic said in an interview with the Serbian Broadcasting Corporation that the quality of the vaccines didn't differ from that of the Sputnik V produced in Russia. The minister explained that 18 parameters were controlled under international standards, and that the result was "excellent."

Speaking of potential vaccine exports, Popovic said that the Government of Serbia and President Aleksandar Vucic would decide whether it's an option. "Russian partners need to give us an approval for exports, lest we should target the same markets," Popovic said.