President Rodrigo Duterte might be injected with Russia’s anti-COVID-19 vaccine as early as May 2021, Malacañang said Thursday.
Palace spokesman Harry Roque said that the Philippines will conduct phase 3 of clinical trials of Sputnik V, a Russian made vaccine ffom October 2020 to March 2021.
In a televised press briefing, Roque said the President ill receive the Sputnik V vaccine as early as May 1, 2021 provided that the vaccine is approved by the Philippines’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“May 1 is when the PSG (Presidential Security Group) may allow him after concluding the tests of the vaccine here, Roque said, adding: “It’s not a metaphorical statement. He is willing to undergo it [vaccination].”
Roque said the vaccine expert panel will review the results of the phase 1 and 2 clinical trials this September. Roque said the Philippines and Russia will run simultaneous phase 3 clinical trials.
Roque said Russia will fund the clinical trials in the Philippines.
He said they will expect Sputnik 5 to be registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by April 2021.
“This is voluntary. We will not be forcing anybody. Those who want to volunteer for the trials can get the vaccine shot,” he said.
According to Roque, Russia is open to a transfer of technology for the local manufacture of the Sputnik 5.
“The truth is Russia is inviting different countries to help in manufacturing their vaccine,” he said.
