Russia Seen Mounting Campaign Against Western Vaccines to Sell Its Own

Russian news outlets with connections to the Kremlin launched a negative campaign targeting vaccines made in the U.S. and Europe, said researchers.

According to The New York Times, the disinformation campaigns focused on Latin American countries in an effort to convince Spanish-speaking people that the Russian Sputnik V vaccine is superior to vaccines made by companies like Pfizer and Moderna. Researchers also tracked similar disparaging stories in countries in Central and West African countries that are negotiating to buy the Russian vaccine.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Russian intelligence agencies are trying to undermine confidence in Western vaccines by questioning the development and safety of the Pfizer and other vaccines.

Dr. Jeremy Levin, chairman of the global Biotechnology Innovation Organization, says the campaign is a prime example of “vaccine nationalism.”

“By manipulating data, the Russian intelligence agencies are putting the global battle against COVID-19 at risk,” he says.

According to Dr. Levin, the complete lack of transparency of the data emanating from Russia about Sputnik V is dangerous and misleading.

“We simply don’t know how effective or ineffective that vaccine is,” he explains.

“Worse yet, establishing websites to promote false information about the data from Pfizer and Moderna will put millions at risk and prolong the pandemic.”

Dr. Levin has extensive experience in the global biopharmaceuticals industry, leading companies and people to develop and commercialize medicines that address medical needs worldwide.

He says that the Russian actions are “an attack on public health, the fight against the pandemic, and a cynical ploy to secure good will and economic gain.

“Most importantly,” says Dr. Levin. “The only beneficiary of Russia’s disinformation is the COVID-19 virus.”