By NG Seruela
National Task Force against COVID-19 (NTF) chief implementer and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. is optimistic that the additional Sputnik V doses the country is expecting will provide a “major boost” to the country’s national immunization program.
In a statement, he said the government is expected to roll out 10 to 20 million doses of Sputnik V vaccines nationwide as the batches of the Russian vaccine arrive at intervals throughout the year.
Some 485,000 doses of the vaccine are expected within the month of May.
“With these additional doses, we will provide our countrymen with an added layer of protection against the virus, and realize our goal of inoculating 50 to 70 million Filipinos by year-end,” he said.
The initial 15,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine arrived on Saturday (May 1). Galvez thanked Russia for the delivery of the vaccines.
READ MORE: http://152.42.253.13/ph-gets-first-shipment-of-sputnik-v/
“In these difficult times, our stronger bilateral relation with nations such as Russia has enabled us to successfully negotiate with the Direct Investment Fund of Russia, and secure the vaccines we need to build up our nation’s vaccine portfolio,” he said.
Galvez reminded the public to comply with the minimum public health standards even after vaccination to protect the community. -jlo
