Moscow, December 4 (RHC)-- Russia says it will start rolling out its Sputnik V vaccine as early as next week, with doctors and teachers first in line to receive the two-jab shot.  The vaccination program comes as COVID-19 has been surging in Russia, which has the world’s fourth-highest confirmed caseload at over 2.3 million, and over 41,000 deaths.

In other news around the world, in Zimbabwe, authorities are tightening restrictions on gatherings as cases rise.  Hundreds of students have tested positive after schools reopened last month.

European Union regulators are cautioning against Britain’s rapid approval of Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine for widespread use, saying their longer approval process is safer.  EU medical officials say they will decide by December 29th if they will issue provisional authorization for the vaccine.