MANILA, Philippines — After delays, some 15,000 doses of the Russian-made COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V arrived on Saturday in the Philippines.
The first batch of the Sputnik V vaccines arrived past 3:50 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport via a Qatar Airways flight, Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs Robert Borje said.
These doses were supposed to arrive on April 28 but delayed due to logistical concerns.
ATM: Qatar Airways flight bearing 15k doses of Sputnik V arrive in Manila. #MoreVaccinesMoreLivesSaved 🇵🇭🇷🇺 pic.twitter.com/EsSJZIc3sY
— PAFA (@ph_opafa) May 1, 2021
Malacañang said the Russian-made vaccines will be deployed in Metro Manila because of its storage requirements.
Sputnik V, developed by the Gamaleya Institute, should be stored in a dark place with temperatures not exceeding -18 degrees Celsius.
The Philippines is eyeing to procure 20 million doses of Sputnik V.