After President Duterte volunteered to be injected with the Russian vaccine to ensure its safety prior to public use, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced this may only be possible by May 1, 2021.
Based on the timeline Roque presented, there will be a Vaccine Expert Panel Review in the country on the results of the first two clinical trials in Russia on September. The third phase of clinical trial will be simultaneously conducted with Russia from October to March 2021. This will be funded by Russia.
The vaccine is expected to be registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by April 2021 and is anticipated to be published by May. Roque clarified that the target date of May 1 is in accordance with the Department of Health (DOH).
“Bukas po ang Russia sa transfer technology para sa local manufacturing of the vaccine. Sa katunayan po, hinihikayat nila iyong iba’t ibang mga bansa na tumulong para mag-manufacture ng kanilang bakuna (Russia is open to the transfer of technology for the local manufacturing of the vaccine. In fact, they are also urging other countries to help manufacture their vaccine),” Roque disclosed.
Roque clarified the statement of President Duterte on the vaccine will not affect the experts’ evaluation on the vaccine.
“This is conducted by scientists, not by politicians. So I think, they will be following strict scientific protocols.”
Regarding President Duterte’s promise of a COVID-free Christmas, Roque said it may be possible since the Sputnik V vaccine is only one of many. Other vaccines are way ahead in their clinical trials.
“So baka mayroon naman pong mauna pa dahil itong Gamaleya ay sisimulan pa lang ang third phase… Pwede po dahil alam ko po iyong sa Tsina, sa Oxford at sa Amerika, nasa third phase na po sila ng clinical trial (Maybe some will finish ahead of the Gamaleya [vaccine] since it is yet to enter third phase. It is possible since China, Oxford, and America are now in the third phase of clinical trial),” Roque stated. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
