Donetsk, Feb 3 – DAN. DAN correspondents visit the vaccination site at the Medical Center No 3 in Donetsk to find out details of the inoculation as the vaccine roll-out gains momentum.

Currently health worker and teachers are being prioritized as they receive Sputnik V shots according to vaccination lists. In the morning dozens of people arrived at the site, as the total number of vaccinated residents surpassed 50 since February 1.

Before getting a shot, patient fills in a questionnaire of 16 questions on his health and previous conditions. After that a therapist gives the final clearance upon measuring temperature and checking oxygen level in blood, among other parameters.

Some patients are instructed to undergo a test for SARS-CoV-2 anti-bodies.

Such tests are advised for those who has contacts with infected people or who suspect they suffered COVID-19.

Being cleared for the shot, a patient sign an agreement and gets vaccinated. After the shot has been administered, patients are asked to remain under medical surveillance for 30 minutes.

The chief nursing officer of the vaccination site Angela Echina said that no complaints on serious side effects had been voiced so far.

Doctors might call patients within three days after the vaccination to make sure they feel fine.

The second shot is administered 21 days later. The first shot triggers immune response, the second one reinforces it.

The first batch of Sputnik V vaccine arrived in the DPR on January 30. Next shipments are expected soon.

Russia began to develop a vaccine in summer 2020. It was registered on August 11, becoming the first anti-COVID-19 vaccine in the world. The vaccine, developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, was named Sputnik V after the first Soviet space satellite. Vaccine’s efficacy is confirmed at 91.4%. *ot