A medical specialist holds a vial of Sputnik V (Gam-COVID-Vac) vaccine against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at a vaccination center in the State Department Store, GUM, in central Moscow, Russia, on January 18, 2021. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov
MOSCOW — Russia will supply the first batch of its Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine to the Philippines in the first half of April, the Interfax news agency cited the head of Russia’s RDIF sovereign wealth fund as saying on Friday.
This comes as Philippine vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said on March 18 that his government is in talks with vaccine developer Gamaleya Research Institute for supply and that they are eyeing to order some 5 to 10 million doses once government regulators issue an emergency use authorization for Sputnik V.
He also said the Philippines may initially receive 2 million doses from Gamaleya this coming April.
Galvez on Friday revealed the Philippine government and Gamaleya are likewise in negotiations to allow local government units to purchase Sputnik V.
Also on Friday, the Philippines’ Food and Drug Administration announced its granting of a EUA for Sputnik V.