The expected delivery of 100,000 doses of Sputnik V vaccines from Russia on Tuesday, June 8, will no longer push through, according to the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19.
NTF chief implementer, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said on Monday night, June 7 that he would instead negotiate with representatives from Moscow to pursue the delivery of the Russian vaccines on Wednesday, June 9.
"Sa Sputnik, mag-uusap po kami bukas at titignan po natin kung made-deliver ng June 9 'yong 100,000 (As for Sputnik, we will talk to them to negotiate the delivery of the 100,000 on June 9)," Galvez said during President Duterte's pre-recorded briefing on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response.
Earlier Monday, Galvez graced the rollout of the vaccination program for the economic and government frontliners (the "A4 priority group") where he said that the delivery of 100,000 doses of Sputnik V would take place.
The NTF has yet to provide a reason as to the delay of the Russian vaccines' delivery.
However, Galvez said the country is expecting to receive one million doses of Sputnik V jabs this month.
"We are negotiating to have them delivered iyong (the) one million ," he said.
Vaccine deliveries
Meanwhile, Galvez also gave an updated figure on the volume of vaccines that are expected to arrive in the near future. From an earlier estimate of 10.158 million, the country is now anticipating the delivery of 11.058 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines this June.
The deliveries include 4.5 million doses of CoronaVac from Sinovac Biotech; one million doses of Sputnik V; 2.28 million doses of Pfizer through the COVAX facility; 250,000 doses of Moderna that were procured by the private sector; and 2.028 million doses of AstraZeneca through the COVAX facility.
In July, Galvez said there will be at least 10.67 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines that will be delivered to the country. These include 4.5 million doses of CoronaVac, one million doses of Moderna, 1.17 million doses of AstraZeneca, one million doses of Sputnik V, and three to four million doses of Pfizer or AstraZeneca through the COVAX facility.
In August, up to 17 million doses are expected to arrive if the country successfully closes the re-negotiated deal that Galvez has been pursuing with Pfizer. It was the same deal that was botched earlier this year due to issues on indemnity clause.
"Sa August po Mr. President, more or less kung magkaroon ng negotiation sa Pfizer ay aabot po ng 17 million ang ating delivery (In August Mr. President, our delivery will reach 17 million if we can finaly have a negotiation with Pfizer)," Galvez told Duterte.
Last month, Galvez said he already signed the term sheet for the delivery of Pfizer jabs. The final step would be the signing of the supply agreement to detemrine how many doses will be given to the buyer. Once this is done, Galvez said up to 40 million doses will be secured by the country from the American vaccine manufacturer.
"If we get the 40 million, more or less 15 million will be delivered in the third quarter and the remaining will be on the fourth quarter. It's a big help for us," he said.