Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 28) – Another batch of the Russia-made Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccines will arrive in the country on May 30.
The National Task Force Against COVID-19 on Friday said at least 50,000 doses will be brought to the country by a Qatar Airways flight that’s expected to land at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City at 11 p.m. on Sunday.
Upon arrival, the vaccine doses will be stored at the Pharmaserv Warehouse in Marikina City.
The additional Sputnik V doses may go to select areas that are populous and have increasing COVID-19 cases, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Saturday.
The first two batches of Sputnik V vaccines arrived in the country early this month. The Philippines received 15,000 doses in each shipment that reached the country last May 1 and 12.
The total 30,000 doses were distributed in five Metro Manila cities – Makati, Muntinlupa, Manila, Taguig, and Parañaque.
Latest data from the Food and Drug Administration showed as of May 16, 99 had minor side effects after receiving Sputnik V, while one serious adverse event was observed. The report was based on 14,967 doses administered.
The country now has over 8 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, with majority of the vaccine supply from China’s Sinovac.
“Kakaunti lang po kasi itong paparating na Sputnik V, mga 50,000 doses lang po so siguro po mga dalawa o tatlong lugar muna ang mabibigyan nitong mga bakunang ito,” she told a briefing.
[Translation: The incoming Sputnik V doses are limited, only around 50,000, so maybe these will go to just two or three areas.]
