The Philippines is set to receive an additional 50,000 doses of Russia' Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine on Sunday, increasing the country's inventory to around 8.3 million as it moves for "population protection" within the year.
The country has administered five million vaccines so far, which covers full immunization or two shorts for around one million people, Vaccine Czar Sec. Carlito Galvez said. The target is to immunize 50 million people this year.
The additional Sputnik V vaccines will be arriving at 11 p.m. via Qatar Airways, according to an advisory from the National Task Force against COVID-19. The country received its initial 15,000 doses of the Russian vaccine on May 1.
The jab, developed by Russia's Gamaleya Institute, was authorized by the Philippines for emergency use last March. Russia has touted the vaccine as the first in the world. The jab is 91.6% effective against COVID-19, based on clinical trials.
To avoid brand preference that has spawned long queues, the DILG instructed local government units to stop announcing the vaccine brands prior to inoculation.
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