Putin revaccinated as Russia’s vaccine rate remains low

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday that he has revaccinated with Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine booster shot, as Russia’s vaccination rate remains just above one third of the population. 

“Today, I received another dose of vaccine — Sputnik Light, at your recommendation, at the recommendation of your colleagues. It is called revaccination,” Putin was quoted as saying by state-owned Russian News Agency TASS after meeting with health officials. 

“I was revaccinated two hours ago. I feel nothing. I am in normal condition. Everything is all right,” he added.

On Sunday, Putin met with Denis Logunov, the deputy director of the Gamaleya National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, according to TASS. The research center was responsible for helping to develop the Sputnik V vaccine alongside the Russian government.

Putin received his second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in April of this year, though at the time he did not disclose which vaccine he received. A Kremlin spokesperson said they were deliberately not saying which vaccine Putin received, saying all three COVID-19 vaccines available in Russia were good options.

Putin later revealed that he had received the Sputnik V vaccine.

Russia first announced the deployment of COVID-19 vaccine booster shots in July, dubbing the shots “Sputnik Light.” The shots were made available to individuals who had been fully vaccinated at least six months ago.

According to Our World in Data, roughly 44 percent of Russia’s population is at least partially vaccinated against COVID-19, with an estimated 37 percent believed to be fully vaccinated.

Last month, as pandemic conditions were worsening, Putin spoke out against vaccine hesitancy while speaking with government officials on television.

“I can’t understand what’s going on,” Putin said. “We have a reliable and efficient vaccine. The vaccine really reduces the risks of illness, grave complications and death.”

“There are only two ways to get over this period — to get sick or to receive a vaccine,” the Russian leader added. “It’s better to get the vaccine. Why wait for the illness and its grave consequences?”