The Department of Health is vouching for the safety and efficacy of Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V despite getting banned in Brazil.
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Saturday said the Sputnik V vaccine developed by Gamaleya Institute received an emergency use authority (EUA) from the country’s health regulator.
“Kailangan po maintindihan ng ating mga kababayan na ang Sputnik V po ay nabigyan na ng emergency use authority (EUA) ng ating Food and Drug Administration so ibig sabihin, napag-aralan na po yung dossier ng Sputnik V at nakita naman na katanggap tanggap at ligtas ito para sa ating mga kababayan,” Vergeire said in virtual press briefing.
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Vergeire stressed that the manufacturer of the Russian vaccine has a responsibility to the Philippine government to submit new findings of their vaccine.
“As of now, we have not received any such report and what was released in Brazil is based on their evaluation and these are just initial conclusions,” she said.
Vergeire said that findings by Brazilian health regulator Anvisa is based on their evaluation and these are just initial conclusions.
“Sa ngayon pong mga initial na sinasabi ng regulatory authorities sa ibang bansa, kailangan lang pong pagaralan lang at tuloy po ang ating pagbabakuna at yung pong Sputnik V doses ay dadating ngayong hapon,” she explained.
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Brazil halted its importation of Sputnik V shots after health regulators discovered that the adenovirus used in the vaccine could cause problems for those with low immunity or with respiratory complications.
On Saturday, 15,000 doses of Sputnik V jabs arrived in the country after delays.
The doses will be distributed to four cities in the National Capital Region. (RA)
