The Armenian Ministry of Health has approved the use of the Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine.

The news was reported by RIA Novosti news agency citing the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RNF).

Novosti writes that approval was based on III stage clinical test data in Russia and that the drug will not be tested in Armenia.

The Sputnik V vaccine is registered in sixteen countries of the world - Russia, Belarus, Argentina, Bolivia, Serbia, Algeria, Palestine, Venezuela, Paraguay, Turkmenistan, Hungary, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Guinea and Tunisia.

One dose of Sputnik V can cost as much as US$10. In comparison, one dose of the American Pfizer vaccine costs $20, Moderna from $10-$50, and the English AstraZeneca - $4.

Armenia’s Health Ministry says it will acquire the latter to vaccinate 3% of the population. Overall, 10% of the population in Armenia will be vaccinated against the coronavirus.