Oliver Stone receives Russian coronavirus vaccine as experts warn it may be harmful to over-60s

Sputnik V is being distributed across Russia to eligible workers aged 18 to 60

Oliver Stone has received the coronavirus vaccine despite concerns regarding the director’s age.

The Platoon filmmaker, 74, said on Monday (14 December) that he was given Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine “a few days ago” as part of its distribution across the country.

However, while the vaccine is currently meant to be given to high-risk health and education workers in Russia aged 18 to 60, experts have warned that it could be harmful to patients aged over 60.

“I got a vaccine a few days ago. I don’t know if it’ll work but I heard good things about the Russian vaccine,” he told Russia’s Channel One state broadcaster (via The Moscow Times).

“I’m hopeful. It’s a very good vaccine, I don’t understand why it’s being ignored in the West.”

Stone says that he plans to return to the country to receive the second part of the vaccine.

Developers of the Russian vaccine are said to have launched new trials into the effect it will have on people over the age of 60 this autumn.

Around 320,000 doses of Sputnik V are being distributed as part of the country’s first mass rollout, with more than 200,000 people reportedly being given the vaccine. It is reported to be 91.4 per cent effective.

Stone has a strong connection to Russia, having filmed interviews with Vladimir Putin in the past. According to transcripts of an interview between the two men published on the Kremlin's website, Stone asked Putin to be his daughter’s godfather.