By Fernan Angeles
President Rodrigo Duterte stood firm in his decision to take the first shot of injectable vaccine from Russia against COVID-19.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that the President’s vaccination of Russia’s vaccine Sputnik V will only take place after the third stage of clinical trials, which will be done in both Manila and Moscow.
“Hindi po siya nag-back out. Sinabi lang po ng DOST (Department of Science and Technology) na ang kauna-unahang pagkakataon na puwede siyang magpaturok ay May 1,” Roque added.
On Monday, Duterte said he was willing to be the first to get the vaccine, and have himself injected in public — despite growing skepticism about the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Moscow.
The President could only be injected with the Russian vaccine as early as May 1, provided that the vaccine is approved by the Philippines’ Food and Drug Administration, the Palace said.
Russia became the first country to give regulatory approval to a COVID-19 vaccine despite concerns that it may be putting national prestige before sound science and safety.
It named its vaccine Sputnik V, a reference to the world’s first satellite and what Moscow sees as its success at becoming the first country to approve a vaccine.
The World Health Organization and Russian health authorities are currently discussing the process for possible WHO prequalification for Sputnik V.