“…no need to worry because the vaccines are arriving soon,” said Vaccine Czar Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr this morning, September 17, 2021, in regards to the delayed second dose of Gamaleya Sputnik V.
According to Galvez, they are expecting the arrival of 190,000 doses of the Sputnik V Component II vaccine by this weekend or early next week hence those who are waiting for their second dose should not worry.
“As per our vaccine experts from the Department of Health, the gap between first and second doses of Sputnik V can be as long as six months, so no need to worry because the vaccines are arriving soon,” Galvez explained.
He also added that the Philippines will also receive 1 million doses of the Sputnik V Light this month, a single jab vaccine procured by the government, as the vaccination drive continues throughout the country.
“The Sputnik V Light is more efficient because we will be able to protect more people faster. This would eliminate the problem wherein people fail to return for their second dose,” the Vaccine Czar said.
The Philippines has received a total of 285,000 first doses and 80,000 second doses of Sputnik V.
Based on the National COVID-19 Vaccination Operations Center Advisory no. 60 dated July 4, 2021, the DOH AEG says that a delay of 3 to 6 months in receiving the second dose of the above-mentioned vaccine is acceptable as long as the reason for the delay is due to the global vaccine supply.
Currently, about 205,000 has yet to receive their second dose, while about 60,900 are fully inoculated with Sputnik V.
Meanwhile, the Philippines has received 600,000 doses of AstraZeneca procured by the national government and the private sector this morning, September 17, 2021, at the NAIA terminal 1.