Delivery of 50,000 Sputnik V doses deferred —Galvez

Some 50,000 doses of Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 will be delivered to the Philippines at a later date, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said Wednesday. 

Galvez said the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) informed the National Task Force Against COVID-19 vaccine cluster on June 20 that the arrival of the vaccine doses would be deferred “due to ongoing upgrades and latest developments on the vaccine.”

“RDIF has committed to update the Philippine Government on the definite date of delivery of the vaccines,” he said. 

The 50,000 shots are intended as the second dose for those who have been vaccinated early this month with the brand’s Component I vaccines.

“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,” Galvez said.

He also assured the public that the “unforeseen delay” in the delivery would not in any way compromise the efficacy of the vaccines. 

“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 said. 

The Philippines has so far received 180,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine.

Longer interval

Galvez also said Russia’s Gamaleya Research Institute communicated to the Philippines' Food and Drug Administration (FDA) its intention to amend the interval period between the two doses of the vaccine. Gamaleya said it wants the interval period extended to 90 days from the current 21 days. 

“The FDA is currently studying this request together with  the supporting report submitted by the Gamaleya Institute so that it can determine and recommend the appropriate interval period,” he said.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed this on Wednesday and downplayed the delayed arrival of 50,000 doses of Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine for second doses, saying that the efficacy of the vaccine increases when the second dose is given at a longer interval from the date of the first dose.

“The delay is not a problem because Sputnik V already communicated with the FDA that they want their EUA (emergency use authorization) amended because apparently, the vaccine’s efficacy rate is higher if the second dose is given at a much later period from the first dose. They said it could be the same as [the interval for two] AstraZeneca [doses] which is 12 weeks,” Roque said in a press conference held at the Solaire vaccination site in Parañaque City.

“So it is more ideal that the second dose is given at a later date. The delay won’t affect the efficacy of the vaccine,” he added. 

FDA chief Eric Domingo also confirmed the Sputnik V vaccine maker sought such amendment.

“Yes, they applied for an amendment and this is being reviewed by our vacccine experts,” Domingo told GMA News Online.

“The proposed amendment is 21 to 90 days. It is under evaluation,” Domingo added.

The interval between the administration of two doses of Sputnik V doses is set at 21 days under its existing EUA. —KG, GMA News