"The Flight of Hope": Sputnik V arrived to Argentina
12.01.2021
Argentina has received, possibly, the most important gift before Catholic Christmas – Sputnik V vaccine from Russia. 300,000 doses have arrived by the airplane that spent almost 24 hours in flight. The Russian vaccine promoter, the Russian Center at the Buenos Aires University has played important role in this action.
“We have never watched with such pride a crew boarding the plane. The effort they're about to make is a part of the service performed by the crew of Argentine Airlines,” started his coverage the Argentinian TV reporter. “We will be watching this video closely to keep in heart each of these frames. We are watching the history happening before our eyes. The crew is waiting for the take-off, understanding that all the country watch their departure with hope. May be never before so many people watched the airplane taking off. The flight to Moscow is "the Flight of Hope" that we are all have been dreaming about. The country sends hugs; millions are watching you. Have a successful flight, commander!”
Such an emotional and heartfelt message to the Argentine Airlines crew is quite understandable. "The Flight of Hope" is not just an empty expression, since we're talking about saving lives from the disease thanks to the timely delivery of the Covid'-19 vaccine.
Namely Argentina has became the first of the Latin America countries where the Russian Sputnik-V vaccine was registered. The registration was done solely based on the Russian clinical data, without additional research done on Argentinian territory. “The Sputnik-V vaccine was registered in Argentina with no additional clinical trials, which means high recognition of the Russian regular standards and quality of the Russian clinical research,” stated the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev.
Certainly, such high recognition could not appear by itself. It was to be conquered. The Russian Center at the Buenos Aires University together with the University itself and Russkiy Mir Foundation have came up with series of informational meetings with Ibero-American community dedicated to Russian medical science achievements during last summer and autumn. Local medical professionals were engaged in participation in three such events dedicated to the promotion of Sputnik V vaccine on August-October 2020.
The webinar that gathered more than 130 medical professionals from Latin America, India and Russian Federation, was organised by Centro Ruso UBA (Argentina), Foreign Medical Graduates Association (India), the Russian Direct Investment Fund and the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology.
And so, after just a month and a half the goal is achieved – the first batch of lifesaving vaccine was delivered to Argentine. President Alberto Fernández has expressed his personal gratitude to the Спутник V creators and president Vladimir Putin “for the determination they have demonstrated to our country.” Alberto Fernández has promised to vaccinate himself as well, because he has full confidence in it.
Argentina has became the first country after Russia which citizens to be vaccinated with Russian Sputnik V. According to the local Health Ministry, another 10 million doses of the vaccine to be delivered on January - February 2021. The agreement of producing the vaccine was reached between major Russian Direct Investment Fund partners in India, China, South Korea and other countries.
"The Flight of Hope" with life-saving cargo was met by the top Argentine government officials: Prime Minister, Minister of Health, and Russian ambassador to Argentina. “It is very emotional day for all Argentines,” stated Santiago Cafiero, the Chief of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Argentine Nation at the press-conference that took place right after the Russian liner arrived. Cafiero said that the vaccine delivery “will secure our hopes that the pandemic of Covid-19 will be vanquished. Covid brought the world to its knees and was particularly hard hit for Argentina. Today we feel great happiness, we hope for the best.”
Russian Ambassador to Argentina Dmitry Feoktistov has added, “During these difficult times Russia extended a helping hand to Argentine. As we say in Russia, the friend in need is a friend indeed. We hope that our vaccine will help to save lives of million Argentines.”
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