Philippines receives 2.7M doses of Sputnik V

THE Philippines received on Tuesday, November 2, 2,700,000 doses of Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccines, the biggest shipment so far from Russia's Gamaleya Research Institute.

Of this latest shipment, 1,350,000 doses will be administered as Component 1, while the other half will be given as Component 2.

Lawyer Wilben Mayor, assistant secretary and chief of staff of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and a member of the National Task Force (NTF) strategic communications, urged local government units (LGUs) to fast-track their vaccination program.

“Sa ating mga kababayan at local government units, hinihimok ko po kayo na paspasan po natin ang pagbabakuna. Sa hindi pa nababakunahan ay magpabakuna na tayo,” Mayor said.

He also reminded LGUs to ensure the safety and integrity of the Covid-19 vaccines.

NTF special adviser Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, for his part, confirmed that the nationwide rollout of the pediatric vaccination for minors aged 12 to 17 years will begin on Wednesday, November 3.

“Dati ‘yung with comorbidity lang, ngayon ‘yung general population na ang babakunahan natin,” Herbosa said.

With the fresh shipment of Sputnik V vaccines, the country has received a total of 4,390,000 doses from the Russian-based manufacturer.

As of November 2, the Philippines has received a total of 108,912,460 procured and donated doses of Covid-19 vaccines since February.

Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Marat Pavlov, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Jaime Ledda, Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Ma. Carolina Vidal-Taiño, DOH Director Ariel Valencia, Philippine Archipelago International Trading Corporation (PAITC) Chairman Benito Yap Aw, and PAITC President Olivia Limpe Aw also witnessed the arrival of the Sputnik V vaccines. (PR)