Israel cast a wider net on Monday in its quest to secure a vaccine for COVID-19, approaching Russia to discuss buying its Sputnik V vaccine.
"About an hour ago I spoke with Russian President Vladmir Putin regarding the possibility of purchasing an option on the vaccine Sputnik-V," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters. "We will discuss this in the coming days."
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Last week Russia stated that in accordance with interim data during the third stage of clinical trials, the vaccine was effective in 92% of cases.
The Kremlin issued a statement saying Putin and Netanyahu had discussed potential cooperation regarding the Russian vaccine, including supplying it to Israel and even producing it in the Jewish state.
The development follows initial trial results by two US companies, Pfizer and Moderna, saying their own coronavirus vaccines are 90% and 94.5% effective, respectively.
Israel struck a deal with Moderna months ago, and in recent days also reached an agreement with Pfizer.
In regards to US pharmaceutical giant Moderna, the Israeli premier said that the Jewish state will be "one of the first" countries to receive its new vaccine.
Israel was early to sign with Moderna for its potential vaccine, reaching an agreement in June. Last week it signed another deal with Pfizer Inc PFE.N. Both companies have reported encouraging trial results.
Israel is also developing its own vaccine that, if successful, could be market-ready by the end of the summer.
"My goal is to bring as many vaccines from as many sources to as many citizens, as quickly as possible," Netanyahu said.
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