The National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 said the arrival of 170,000 doses of Sputnik V vaccines was delayed.
NTF deputy chief implementer Vince Dizon explained an issue with the packing of vaccines, so the delivery was delayed.
But he said they would also be boarded on the next available flight and are expected to arrive in the country in the next few days.
Last month, the delivery of Sputnik V component 2 was also delayed due to an upgrade to the vaccine.
“Inaayos nila ‘yong pangalawang bakuna para maging ganap na epektibo ito para sa mga lumalabas na makabagong variant ng COVID,” said NTF Spokesperson Restituto Padilla Jr.
The Food and Drug Administration believes that Sputnik V still provides high protection even if it takes 42 days between the first and second doses, based on a study by a vaccine expert panel.
But because the Sinovac vaccine arrived 2 weeks late, the supply of many cities in Metro Manila is short.
Since Wednesday, there has been no first-dose vaccination in Malabon City, and the city has also closed its largest vaccination site.
Arrival of Sputnik V vaccines was again delayed
At small vaccination sites, the rollout of the second dose will be carried out first.
“Pasensiya muna sila at tayo po ay naubusan ng vaccine. Tatawagan po kayo kung kailan tayo magkakaroon ng vaccine ulit,” said Malabon public information officer Bong Padua.
In Quezon City, Makati, Pasay, Valenzuela, Navotas, Muntinlupa and Las Piñas, only the second doses were administered.
Parañaque has not received any COVID-19 vaccines from the national government for ten days, so they last vaccinated the first dose on Friday.
Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez assured that more than 16 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines are expected to arrive in the country this July and 14 million doses next month.
According to the Department of Health, there is no need for COVID-19 booster shots or the third dose in the Philippines, especially since the supply of the vaccine is still limited.
“Sa ngayon, wala pa pong sapat na ebidensiya na makakapagsabi na kailangan na bigyan ng booster ang ating mga kababayan,” said Health Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire.
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