In Covid Vaccine Push, Russia's Putin Says He Got Sputnik V Shot

The Kremlin had previously said that Russian President Vladimir Putin received a two-dose vaccine in March and April, but it gave no further details and did not release images of him getting it.

President Vladimir Putin told Russians on Wednesday to get vaccinated against COVID-19 amid a wave of cases, and said for the first time that he had received Russia's Sputnik V shot. The Kremlin had previously said that Putin, 68, received a two-dose vaccine in March and April, but it gave no further details and did not release images of him getting it. That lack of publicity has came under the spotlight as officials concerned about slow uptake to coax or compel people to get the COVID-19 shots, which are readily available. Putin used his annual televised phone-in on Wednesday to cast Russia's four vaccines as highly effective and safe, while taking a swipe at shots that are widely used in the West.