The Manila Times

Delivery of Sputnik V vaccine delayed

CATHERINE S. VALENTE

FILIPINOS who are scheduled to receive their second dose of Russia’s Sputnik V jab will have to wait longer because the arrival of the 50,000 doses has been delayed.

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said the delay was due to “ongoing upgrades and latest developments on the vaccine.”

Galvez said the National Task Force Against Covid-19 Vaccine Cluster received a formal communication on June 20 from the representative of the Russian Direct

Investment Fund informing them about the delay.

“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,” he added.

The vaccine czar assured the public that a longer interval between the shots will not minimize the protection it offered.

“We would like to emphasize that this unforeseen delay in the delivery will not in any way compromise the efficacy of the vaccines. The Health Technology Assessment Council recommends that ‘persons aged 18 years and older may receive two vaccine doses at least 21 days apart.’ The Gamaleya Institute has provided real world data that Sputnik V delivers an efficacy rate of 79.4 person on the 28th day after the first shot of component 1,” Galvez said.

“The same level of protection will be guaranteed if the second shot is taken later than scheduled. Please understand that the same principle is currently being applied for those who have missed their second dose due to illness and other medical conditions,” he added.

Galvez said the country’s Food and Drug Administration is studying the application filed by Gamaleya Institute to lengthen the interval period between the shots from 21 days to 90 days.

“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,” he said.

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2021-06-24T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-06-24T07:00:00.0000000Z

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The Manila Times