Delivery of 50K Sputnik V vaccines delayed

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said Wednesday the delivery of some 50,000 doses of Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 would be delayed.

According to Galvez, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) informed the National Task Force Against COVID-19 vaccine cluster on June 20 that the delivery of the vaccines would be deferred “due to ongoing upgrades and latest developments on the vaccine.”

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“RDIF has committed to update the Philippine Government on the definite date of delivery of the vaccines,” he said.

The 50,000 Sputnik V vaccines would serve as the second dose for those vaccinated early this month with the brand’s Component I vaccines.

“We have already informed all local government units who have administered the first dose of Sputnik V to their constituents that the schedule for the second shot will likewise be pushed back and will be rescheduled,” Galvez said.

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The vaccine czar also assured the public that the “unforeseen delay” in the delivery would not in any way compromise the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines.

Delivery of 50K Sputnik V vaccines delayed

“We seek your kind understanding that this development is beyond the control of the Philippine government. The manufacturer is seeking more ways to improve and upgrade the vaccine that would be more beneficial and would be more effective in battling the emergence of new variants,” Galvez said.

Meanwhile, Food and Drug Administration director-general Eric Domingo said Monday that the Gamaleya Institute had submitted a request to the FDA to change some details on registering the Sputnik V vaccine in the Philippines.

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Sputnik V is one of 8 vaccine brands that have been given emergency use authorization (EUA) by the FDA for use in the .

“Iyong Sputnik vaccine, ito po iyong 2-dose vaccine na adenoviral vector na magkaiba,” said Domingo.

“They have already written us to say that they might be amending the emergency use authorization para habaan ang time interval between the 2 doses, parang very similar sa adenoviral vaccine natin na Astrazeneca, which we give in 12 weeks.”

In addition, they also want to make the vaccine a single-dose vaccine.

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