By Fernan Angeles
CITING the need for more in-depth study and information, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said that he is not about to give a clearance for the use of the supposed Russian vaccines to the local COVID-19 patients.
“Depende pa ‘yan. We have to learn more about it,” Duque said in reaction to President Rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncement that he has accepted Russian President Vladimir Putin’s offer to provide the country with a vaccine against COVID-19, and that he is willing to try it during clinical trials.
The Russian health ministry called the vaccine “Sputnik V” — in reference to the world’s first satellite, Sputnik, launched by the Soviet Union on Oct. 4, 1957 — said it was approved by Russia after less than two months of human testing.
Sputnik V vaccine has been developed by the Gamaleya research institute in coordination with Russia defense ministry.
“Wala pa tayong documents, we need more information,” Duque said.
Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire earlier said that the DOH is reserving its evaluation on the Russian vaccine since it is still under Phase 3 of the clinical trials. “Hindi pa po nakakapaglabas ng resulta ang Phase 3 ng clinical trials rito, although sinasabi nila na maganda at okay naman siya. Kailangang antayin po natin ang magiging resulta [ng clinical trials],” Vergeire said in a television interview.
The Philippines has recorded 139,538 COVID-19 cases so far. Of this number, 68,432 recovered while 2,312 died.
The number of active COVID-19 cases is at 68,794.
Vergeire said it is still not certain if such a vaccine will be available locally by December.
“Hindi pa po natin masabi kasi nasa Phase 3 pa lang ng clinical trials. Makikita po natin kung paano magpo-progress ito,” she said when asked on the possibility of the vaccine’s availability by December.
“Itong bakuna galing Russia… ito ay nasa Phase 3 ng clinical trials. Kailangang tapusin muna Phase 3 clinical trials.”
Vergeire also said aside from the one in Russia, the country is also considering five other possible vaccines from other countries. She said experts from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) are studying which of the six is best for the Philippines.
“Iyong DOST, may vaccine experts po tayo roon. May anim na bakuna na all over the world na nasa Phase 3 ng clinical trials,” she said.
“Nag-meeting kami last week, at pinakita nila ang iba’t ibang characteristics ng bawat bakuna, ang main function nito, kung saan makakatulong at saka iyong disadvantage, kung ilan iyong masu-supply ng bawat manufacturer,” she added.