Putin asked health officials to begin a large-scale rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine from next week, saying Russia had produced nearly two million doses of Sputnik V.

"I am asking you to arrange the work so that we will begin the large-scale vaccination before next weekend," Putin told Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova in Novo-Ogaryovo today.

Putin stressed that teachers and medical staff will be the first to be vaccinated.

Russia is the fourth largest epidemic zone in the world with more than 2.3 million cases and more than 41,000 deaths.

The Kremlin has ensured that the Russians are the first to be vaccinated, and Moscow also discusses agreements to supply vaccines to other countries.

In August, Russia urgently approved the Sputnik V vaccine before completing phase three testing.