Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine is still uncertain despite its recent development in Russia.
“Hindi pa po natin masabi kasi nasa Phase 3 pa lang ng clinical trials. Makikita po natin kung paano magpo-progress ito,” Vergeire told Unang Hirit when asked on vaccine’s availability by December.
“Itong bakuna galing Russia… ito ay nasa Phase 3 ng clinical trials. Kailangang tapusin muna Phase 3 clinical trials,” she added.
President Vladimir Putin announced Tuesday that Russia became the first country to register a COVID-19 vaccine after less than two months of human testing.
Gamaleya National Research Center developed the Sputnik V vaccine, and it was officially registered to Russia’s Health Ministry, Putin told a meeting of members of the government in Moscow.
Putin assured the vaccine was safe, and it had been administered to one of his daughters.
“I know that it works quite effectively, forms strong immunity, and I repeat, it has passed all the needed checks,” Putin said.
The vaccine’s registration to the health ministry would grant a Phase III trial involving thousands of participants.
Also read: Duterte welcomes Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine offer
COVID-19 vaccine availability by December uncertain
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier thanked and accepted the offer of Russia to supply the Philippines with COVID-19 vaccines, adding he hopes for a COVID-free Christmas celebration in the country.
“Hindi pa po nakakapaglabas ng resulta ang Phase 3 ng clinical trials rito, although sinasabi nila na maganda at okay naman siya. Kailangang antayin po natin ang magiging resulta,” Vergeire said of the Russian vaccine.
(Phase 3 of the clinical trials has not yet released results, although they say it is good. We have to wait for the result.)
The DOH official said that aside from Russia, the Philippines is also looking at five other possible COVID-19 vaccines from other countries. She added the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is studying which of the six is the best for the country.
“Iyong DOST, may vaccine experts po tayo roon. May anim na bakuna na all over the world na nasa Phase 3 ng clinical trials,” Vergeire said.
“Nag-meeting kami last week, at pinakita nila ang iba’t ibang characteristics ng bawat bakuna, ang main function nito, kung saan makakatulong at saka iyong disadvantage, kung ilan iyong masu-supply ng bawat manufacturer,” she added.