If Sputnik V fails to deliver, Philippines to use AstraZeneca as 2nd dose

AstraZeneca doses may be used as a second dose if the second component of Sputnik V fails to arrive in the Philippines, Vaccine Czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said on Wednesday.

"We already made an announcement that in case Sputnik (V) was not able to deliver, we can use AstraZeneca as a second dose," said Galvez at the sidelines of the arrival of more than 800,000 doses of Pfizer vaccines.

Galvez said they are expecting 15,000 doses of Sputnik V's Component Number 2 or its second shot to arrive on Friday, Aug. 13.

Unlike other vaccine brands, the Russian-made COVID-19 vaccine has different components for its first and second dose.

Asked on the delay of the second dose, Galvez said there are issues on production and supply of the second dose.

"There is the challenge of production of component 2. They are supplying to more or less 50 countries," the vaccine czar also said.

The latest shipment of Sputnik V vaccines was in July, wherein 37,800 doses were delivered from Russia.

Last month, health authorities discussed a plan to study vaccine mixing. COVID-19 vaccine brands included in the mix and match trials are AstraZeneca, Sinovac, Pfizer, Moderna, and Sputnik.

Bacoor City in Cavite stopped using Sputnik V vaccines in its province after vaccines were not delivered. -- BAP, GMA News