The delivery of 50,000 doses of Russian-made Sputnik V vaccines against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) this month has been delayed, National Task force (NTF) Against COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. confirmed Wednesday, June 23.
Galvez said the Vaccine Cluster of the NTF received a formal communication from the representative of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) on June 20 that the arrival of the component II of Sputnik V "will be deferred to a later date due to ongoing upgrades and latest developments on the vaccine."
The government has secured the vaccines through a partnership with the RDIF.
The Sputnik V jabs were supposed to be used as a second dose of individuals who have been vaccinated early this month with the brand's component I vaccines. The first component composed of 100,000 doses arrived last June 11.
"We have already informed all local government units (LGUs) 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," Galvez said.
"While this may be the case, we would like to emphasize that this unforeseen delay in the delivery will not in any way compromise the efficacy of the vaccines," he added.
The NTF's Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) has recommended that persons aged 18 years and older may receive two vaccine doses of Sputnik V at least 21 days apart.
Sputnik V's manufacturer, the Gamaleya Research Insititue, provided real world data that the vaccine delivers an efficacy rate of 79.4 percent on the 28th day after the first shot.
The same level of protection was guaranteed if the second shot is taken "later than scheduled," Galvez claimed.
"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. In any case, we would like to stress once again that it is imperative to take both doses of the vaccines against COVID-19," he stressed.
Galvez said that the Gamaleya Research Institute, through the Russian Direct Investment Fund, has formally expressed to the Philippines' Food and Drug Administration (FDA) its intention to amend the interval period between the two doses of Sputnik V from the minimum 21 days to 90 days.
He said the FDA is currently studying the request together with the supporting report submitted by the Gamaleya Research Institute so that it can determine and recommend the appropriate interval period.
"We seek your kind understanding that this development is beyond the control of the Philippine government. 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," Galvez stated.
"We will update the general public on the next delivery of Sputnik V vaccines as soon as the definite delivery dates have already been confirmed by the manufacturer," the vaccine czar added.
The government has so far received 14.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines since February. Of these, 180,000 doses were Sputnik V jabs.
In total, around 20 million doses of the Russian vaccines are set to be delivered in the country within the year.