Russian media reports say Russian scientists have begun to test vaccine prototypes for the new coronavirus, and plan to present the most effective one by June.

Russian media outlets reported on Tuesday that Russia has tested about 116,000 people for the coronavirus since March 16, of which 93 have been positive

“The prototypes have been created. We are starting laboratory testing on animals, to ensure effectiveness and safety,” Ilnaz Imatdinov of the Vector Institute in Siberia told the Vesti Novosibirsk television channel on March 16.

According to him, they will present one or two showing the best results in June. 

Vector Institute is a state virology and biotechnology center in Novosibirsk, which previously worked on vaccines for the Ebola virus.

RIA Novosti notes that the introduction of the vaccine will be possible in the fourth quarter of this year. 

Recall, Russia closed borders to foreign nationals starting on March 18 as part of measures to halt the spread of the virus.