Russian, Turkish experts discuss development of COVID-19 vaccine

Russia and Turkey discussed on May 22 a joint work on the development of a vaccine against the novel coronavirus and diagnostic products to detect the infection at early stages.

Russian chief sanitary officer Anna Popova and Turkish Deputy Health Minister Emine Alp Meşe via videoconference exchanged experience in the fight against COVID-19, the Russian Sanitary Service said in a statement on its website.

"The parties noted that a set of anti-pandemic measures is widely implemented in Russia and Turkey, which makes it possible to prevent the situation from developing in a negative scenario. In both countries, there is a downward trend in the growth rate of new cases of coronavirus infection," the statement said.

Meşe expressed readiness to work together with Russia on the development of COVID-19 vaccines, added the statement, noting that Russian and Turkish scientists and experts will hold consultations to exchange their knowledge on the topic.

The pandemic has claimed more than 335,400 lives in 188 countries and regions since originating in China last December. The U.S. and Europe are currently the world's worst-hit regions.