Duterte may get Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine by May 2021—Palace

In this handout photo taken on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, and provided by the Russian Direct Investment Fund, a new vaccine is on display at the Nikolai Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow, Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement that his country is the first to approve a coronavirus vaccine hasn’t provoked the awe and wonder of the Soviet Union’s launch of the first satellite into orbit in 1957. Instead, the announcement was met by doubts about the science and safety of the vaccine. (Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/ Russian Direct Investment Fund via AP)

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte might be injected with the Russian COVID-19 vaccine by May 2021 at the earliest, Malacañang said Thursday.

In a televised Palace press briefing, Presidential spokesperson bared that the Philippines will conduct Phase 3 of clinical trials of Russia’s Sputnik-V vaccine from October 2020 to March 2021.

He added that the vaccine may be registered with the Food and Drug Administration by April 2021.

“Inaasahan po natin na pwedeng magpabakuna ang ating Presidente dito po sa Russian na bakuna sa Mayo a-uno 2021,” Roque said.

(We are expecting that the President can be injected by the Russian-made vaccine on May 1, 2021.)

The 75-year-old Duterte boldly declared on Monday night that he would immediately try out the vaccine against the new coronavirus being developed by Russia, expressing confidence about its safety and effectiveness, which he projected to be ready by December, when “the Philippines will be free of COVID-19 and will be able to enjoy a peaceful Christmas.”

But according to the guidelines set by the country’s vaccine expert panel for the conduct of Phase 3 clinical trials, priority will be given to people aged 18 to 59 and are at high risk of coronavirus infection. These people include health workers and contacts of COVID-19 patients.

Meanwhile, the elderly and immunocompromised people, like Duterte, will be included later on.

The Presidential Security Group said Duterte may be inoculated with the Russian-made coronavirus vaccine as long it is approved by local health authorities for use.

JPV