Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on fellow members of the BRICS alliance of major emerging countries to mass produce Russian-made coronavirus vaccines, AFP reported.

Speaking during an online summit of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, Putin encouraged the other four BRICS members to manufacture and distribute coronavirus vaccines developed by Russia.

“There are Russian vaccines, they work, they work effectively and safely [...] It's very important to unite for the mass production of these products into wide circulation,” Putin said.