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DISINFO: EU prepares new smear campaign against Russia, accuses it of anti-vax activities

DISINFORMATION CASE DETAILS

Tags:

vaccination Sputnik V Russophobia

DISINFO: EU prepares new smear campaign against Russia, accuses it of anti-vax activities

SUMMARY

The European Union's leadership is preparing a new slander campaign against Russia, accusing it of fuelling the anti-vaccination movement abroad. Russia is holding dialogue with the relevant European bodies and member states of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) over the use of Sputnik V which has shown good results. What is really impeding the vaccination is opposition from EU officials. The EMA continues to block the certification of the Russian vaccine, in compliance with informal instructions of high-ranking EU officials.

RESPONSE

This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin media outlets, claiming that Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine is much better and more efficacious than any foreign ones, which is why the European Union is fighting against it. In reality, there is no evidence of EU bias against the Russian vaccine or that EU officials are blocking its certification. What is more, EMA Executive Director Emer Cooke, said she hoped the Sputnik V vaccine would be approved. For that EMA is conducting a rolling review including with a visit to Russian facilities.

The EMA has certified four vaccines so far. The rolling review of Sputnik V was launched on 4 March 2021. Pro-Kremlin media often quote an article in The Lancet magazine, which showed 91.6 per cent effectiveness of Sputnik V without considerable side effects. However, there have been some doubts as to its efficacy, especially where the trial procedures are concerned (see here and here.) Recently, in the Lancet article published 12 May 2021 critical questions about the Sputnik V data for phase III clinical trial were raised.

There is no Russophobia in the way the EMA is dealing with the Sputnik V vaccine.

The EMA applies the same regulatory approach to all vaccine applications to check them for safety and efficacy.

Read more disinformation cases alleging that Russia’s Sputnik V is better than other vaccines, which is why it is treated unfairly.

Disclaimer

Cases in the EUvsDisinfo database focus on messages in the international information space that are identified as providing a partial, distorted, or false depiction of reality and spread key pro-Kremlin messages. This does not necessarily imply, however, that a given outlet is linked to the Kremlin or editorially pro-Kremlin, or that it has intentionally sought to disinform. EUvsDisinfo publications do not represent an official EU position, as the information and opinions expressed are based on media reporting and analysis of the East Stratcom Task Force.

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