Philippines’ participation in clinical trials may help overcome doubts vs. Sputnik V —Palace

The Philippines’ participation in the upcoming phase 3 clinical trials for Sputnik V may help dispel doubts about the safety and effectiveness of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine, Malacañang said Thursday.

“Definitely,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a televised briefing when asked if the clinical trials will help allay concerns about the vaccine, which Russia approved on Tuesday after less than two months of human testing.

The conduct of phase 3 clinical trials in the Philippines will run from October 2020 to March 2021 with Russia expected to shoulder the costs. Roque said the Philippines and Russia will run large-scale clinical trials simultaneously.

“Pero tayo po meron din po tayong gagawin on our own. Ito po ay separate study pa na gagawin ng DOST [Department of Science and Technology] na popondohan din ng DOST,” Roque said.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday expressed his willingness to be injected with the Russian vaccine, noting that Sputnik V was “really good for humanity.”

Roque, however, said Duterte’s vote of confidence will not affect the vaccine approval process.

“This [review] is conducted by scientists, not politicians. I think they will be following strict scientific protocols,” he said.

Roque said Duterte will receive the Sputnik V vaccine as early as May 1, 2021 provided that the vaccine is approved by the Philippines’ Food and Drug Administration. —LDF, GMA News