AFTER a delay due to logistical challenges, the first batch of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines from Russia’s Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology arrived Saturday, May 1, 2021.

The National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 said the shipment of 15,000 doses of Sputnik V arrived at 3:50 p.m. via a Qatar Airways flight.

These form part of the 10 million doses that the Philippines procured from Russian Direct Investment Fund. The supply deal may be expanded to 20 million doses.

Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., NTF chief implementer and vaccine czar, said the 15,000 doses will be used for a dry run in preparation for the arrival of bigger shipments this month.

Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said five cities in Metro Manila that can meet the storage requirements for Sputnik V will receive the vaccines.

These are Makati, Taguig, Muntinlupa, Manila and Parañaque. Each will get 3,000 doses.

Sputnik V, which is made from a non-replicating viral vector, is the second government-procured Covid-19 vaccine in the country.

It was granted an emergency use authorization (EUA) by the Food and Drug Administration on March 19, 2021.

Based on a DOH advisory, this vaccine is administered in two equal doses three weeks apart to adults 18 years old and older.

Its clinical trials showed an overall efficacy of 91.6 percent against symptomatic Covid-19, and 100 percent against moderate or severe cases, about 21 days after the first dose.

Common adverse events are pain at the injection site, hyperthermia and swelling. Systemic side effects include headache, asthenia, muscle/joint pain, malaise, sore throat, diarrhea, rhinorrhea, loss of appetite, pain in the oropharynx, nasal congestion, colds, sneezing and cough.

The frozen solution of this vaccine should be stored at -18 degrees Celsius and below.

The arrival of Sputnik V brought the Philippines’ vaccine supply to 4,040,600 doses, of which 1,809,801 have been administered as of April 27.

The country earlier received of 3.5 million doses of Sinovac Biotech’s CoronaVac and 525,600 doses of AstraZeneca.

The AstraZeneca shipment was donated through the Covax Facility while one million doses of CoronaVac were donated by China. The rest were procured by the government. (Marites Villamor-Ilano with Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)