The negotiation for the procurement of 20 million doses of the Russian-made Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine is now in the final stage, Russian Federation Ambassador to the Philippines Marat Pavlov said Friday.
Pavlov made this disclosure during the first virtual Vaccine Summit jointly organized by the various business chambers in the Philippines.
Citing reports from the Russia Direct Investment Fund, Pavlov said they are hoping to conclude the negotiation shortly even as the first trial batch of the Sputnik V consisting of 15,000 doses is set to arrive in Manila on Saturday, May 1.
Russia is the second vaccine-manufacturing country to commit to providing the Philippines with the coronavirus jabs, next only to China, which has already delivered more than 3 million doses of Sinovac CoronaVac vaccines since Feb. 28.
Pavlov also confirmed that Sputnik V has already secured the emergency use authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration with a high efficacy rate of more than 97 percent.
The Russian envoy stressed that the technology in producing the Sputnik V is already in use for more than 40 years now in making drugs and vaccines.
“It’s absolutely safe. Sputnik showed an efficacy of 97.6 percent in the new figures. There is no adverse side effect apart from skin irritation and headaches,” he said.
After the delivery of the first batch, Pavlov assured that the volume of delivery will gradually increase every month.
“I’d like to emphasize that Russia will continue to support in assisting the government of the Philippines in its national goals related to public health,” the Russian diplomat said in his remarks.
Malacañang earlier said the 15,000 doses of the vaccine developed by Russia’s Gamaleya Institute were supposed to be delivered on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, but was moved back due to the lack of direct flights from Moscow to Manila.