Preference for Russia's COVID-19 vaccines affected by last year's delay —DOH

The preference for Russia's COVID-19 vaccines was affected by its late delivery last year and likely not because of the crisis between Russia and Ukraine, the Department of Health (DOH) said Friday.

In an interview on ANC, Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje was asked if the use of vaccines from Russia was affected by the Russian-Ukraine war.

"Not likely," Cabotaje said.

"Except that we had a problem with Gamaleya use and preference. Initially, there was good uptake of Gamaleya but when we had a problem middle of and late last year when the second doses did not arrive on time and took some several months before they arrived," she added.

Last year, some 50,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine that were expected to arrive in June were delivered at a later date

Meanwhile, Cabotaje said the Philippines has completed its orders for the vaccines.

"We have completed. We are not expecting and we have not procured any additional Gamaleya vaccines," she said.

On Thursday, the Philippines logged 592 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the nationwide tally to 3,668,940 and active cases to 47,173.—AOL, GMA News