President Rodrigo Duterte could be given Sputnik V vaccine, the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Russia, as early as May 2021, Malacañang said Thursday.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a televised briefing that Duterte could be injected with Sputnik V, as early as May 1, 2021, given that Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the Philippines approved the vaccine.
“The May 1 is when the PSG (Presidential Security Group) may allow him ‘pag natapos na ang mga test na kinakailangang gawin dito sa [Sputnik V] vaccine,” Roque said. “It’s not a metaphorical statement. He is willing to undergo it [vaccination].”
According to Roque, the vaccine expert panel will evaluate the results of phase 1 and 2 clinical trials this September. He added the Philippines and Russia would run simultaneous phase 3 clinical trials.
Dr. Jaime Montoya, executive director of the Philippine Council for Health Research, together with other members of Philippine health and vaccine experts, met with the representatives of Russian manufacturer Gamaleya and other Russian investors recently to talk about Sputnik V’s Phase 3 clinical trials in the Philippines.
He said the Russian vaccine could be available in the country by April 2021.
“Kailangan approved muna ng Russian FDA (Food and Drug Administration) bago ma-approve ng FDA ng ibang bansa. Ang projection po nila (Russians) ng kanilang FDA approval ay January 2021,” Montoya said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.
(The Russian FDA must first approve it before the FDA can approve it of another country. Their projection of their FDA approval is January 2021.)
Also read: Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine not automatically approved in PH – FDA exec
Duterte to get Sputnik V vaccine as early as May 2021
Montoya added that the Russian government to conduct a Phase 3 of the clinical trials for Sputnik V in the Philippines for free, as long as they would be given workforce and venue to conduct the trials.
However, both Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Sputnik V vaccine needs further study.
Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla is also vocal about his concerns over the newly developed vaccine.
“Ako po ay nababahala sa mainit na balita na ang Russia ay maglalabas na ng vaccine para sa COVID-19. I have nothing against the Russians nor am I connected to any preferred country or vaccine manufacturer,” Remulla said in a Facebook post.