File labelled “Sputnik V coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine,” March 24, 2021. REUTERS / Dado Ruvic
MANILA, Philippines — The first batch of Sputnik V vaccines is now on its way to the Philippines, Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos Sorreta has announced.
“First shipment of Sputnik V vaccines (15,000 doses) left today, 29 April, from Moscow and should be in Manila by 1 May,” he said in a Facebook post late Thursday.
More deliveries are expected in the coming weeks and months, he added.
The initial batch of the vaccine developed by Russia’s Gamaleya Institute was supposed to be delivered on April 28 but was delayed due to flight restrictions since there were no direct flights from Moscow to Manila.
Malacañang earlier said this Sputnik V batch will be distributed in Metro Manila once the vaccine doses arrive.
Sputnik V already secured an emergency use authorization from the country’s Food and Drug Administration and can be administered to people 18 years old and above.