The Philippines plans to begin clinical trials for a Russian coronavirus vaccine in October, President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesman said Thursday.
Duterte is expected to be vaccinated in May 2021. The Southeast Asian country is expected to conduct phase 3 clinical trials from October to March 2021, after experts completed a review of Russia’s first and second phase trials in September, Duterte spokesman Harry Roque said in a briefing.
Russia granted regulatory approval for the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday after two months of human testing.
The vaccine, called “Sputnik V” in honor of the Soviet Union’s launch of the world’s first satellite, evolved through the Gamaleya Institute in Moscow.
The Philippine passing government relies on the public that the vaccine goes through a strict regulatory review before it can be used.
Food and Drug Administration leader Eric Domingo said the Manila government would be “very cautious” in approving the Sputnik V vaccine.
“We want to make sure that before a vaccine is launched it is effective,” he said in a television interview.
According to Domingo, Filipino officials met with brands and scientists who developed the vaccine to discuss the realization of Phase 3 in the country.
“The Philippines is a smart clinical trial site because we know there is network transmission in many of our communities, so this area can,” he said.
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To allay public fears, Duterte said he “may be the first they can experiment in.” “When the vaccine arrives, I’ll inject it publicly. Experiment with me, that’s fine. If you paint me, paint me all,” the Filipino leader said in a televised showdown on Monday.
Putin said the vaccine proved effective and promises to offer “sustainability” against coronavirus.
“I would like to repeat that he passed all the mandatory tests,” Putin said tuesday. “The ultimate is to ensure that the vaccine is used and effectiveness.” The Russian leader added that one of his daughters has already been vaccinated and feels good.
Duterte praised Russia’s efforts to expand a coronavirus vaccine.
“I will tell President Putin that I have wonderful confidence in his studies on the fight opposed to COVID and in me that the vaccine he has produced is really intelligent for humanity,” Duterte said, adding that he is convinced that until December “Philippines will miss COVID-19 and enjoy a non-violent Christmas.”
The progression of vaccines in Russia has raised considerations among the global clinical community, which fears that national pride has compromised regulations on protection and physical fitness.
Scientists are skeptical of Moscow’s plans to mass-produce Sputnik V in October, send it to the Philippines, or partner with local corporations to manufacture it in the country.
The Philippines, one of Asia’s poorest countries, is no stranger to errors in immunization programmes. In 2017, a dengue vaccination programme was discontinued due to protection considerations similar to the Dengvaxia vaccine.
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mvb /rt (Reuters, Afp)