DISINFO: Getting a Sputnik V injection is like playing Russian Roulette says a senior EMA official
SUMMARY
Moscow believes that its vaccine Sputnik V is still the subject of attacks and unfounded criticism.
The latest example was when an official from the European Medicines Agency declared that being inoculated with Sputnik V was like playing Russian roulette. A bad pun that greatly displeased the Moscow side.
RESPONSE
Disinformation linked to the current EMA rolling review of Sputnik V.
This is about words taken out of context. On 7 March 2021, Christa Wirthumer-Hoche, senior EMA member and chair of the board, was invited by the programme Talk/ Im Zentrum of the Austrian broadcaster ORF. At minute 31:40 she discusses the fact that some countries are tempted to authorise Sputnik V before its review by the EMA and doesn't recommend it. Indeed she said that [authorities] taking such an important decision before having the required information is like playing Russian roulette. This metaphor explains how an important decision is taken (firing the weapon) without having the appropriate information (is it loaded or not).
On 9 March Christa Wirthumer-Hoche also answered a question on the Sputnik V vaccine during a press conference (at minute 30:17) stating that the substance needs to comply with the EU's standards for such medicine not more and not less.
It was never said that anywhere (apart from in Moscow by a RT correspondent misrepresenting) that being inoculated with the Sputnik V vaccine was like playing Russian Roulette.
Logically, the question of inoculation comes after the decision to authorise the vaccine.
Read also related stories: Russia’s enemies are afraid of the advantage of Sputnik V and Russia’s leadership, The West ignores Sputnik V and does not allow others to use it or Previous Western criticism of the Sputnik V vaccine was due to Russophobia.