FOR the second time, the arrival of 15,000 doses of Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccines today has been deferred amid what Malacañang aptly referred to as “logistical challenges.”
In a statement, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed that the scheduled delivery of 15,000 doses of the Russian-made COVID-19 jabs is not taking place, but assured that the government has been taking steps to ensure that no more delays would happen.
“We confirm that logistical challenges resulted in the delay of the arrival of 15,000 doses trial order of Sputnik V,” Roque said in a statement.
“Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez has taken steps to address these challenges and aims to receive the initial order in the month of May instead,” he added.
The 15,000 doses of the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine requiring -20°C storage, were supposed to arrive at 10:00 PM tonight.
Asked to elaborate on what he meant by the word “challenges” in relation to the delay, Roque said that there are no direct flights from Russia to the Philippines, and the required temperature for the vaccine’s storage.
Based on Food and Drug Administration’s evaluation, the efficacy rate of Sputnik V is at 91 percent.
The much-anticipated Sputnik V, which was first expected to arrive last Sunday, will be the first batch of Russian-made COVID-19 vaccines to be delivered to the Philippines.