DOH: Filipinos hesitant to get Sputnik V COVID-19 jabs due to delivery delays
MANILA, Philippines — Some Filipinos are reluctant to be vaccinated with Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccines following delayed deliveries last year, a health official said Friday.
Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said there is a problem with the use of and preference for the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Gamaleya Research Institute in the country.
“Initially there was a good uptake of Gamaleya. But we had the problem middle and late last year when the second doses did not arrive on time and took several months before they arrived,” Cabotaje, who heads the National Vaccination Operations Center, said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel.
“The citizens are now hesitant to get their Gamaleya shots thinking they might not get their second shot,” she added.
The Sputnik V jab consists of two different components of the vaccine. Government officials earlier said that delays in delivery will not compromise the efficacy of shots.
Cabotaje also said some Filipinos do not want to receive the Sputnik V vaccine because several nations do not recognize the Russian-made jab.
No more orders
According to the health official, the government has completed its orders from the Russian drugmaker. “We are not expecting and we have not procured any additional Gamaleya vaccines.”
The applications to extend the shelf life of Sputnik V and AstraZeneca vaccines are being processed, Cabotaje added.
The Philippines is experiencing a low vaccine uptake as COVID-19 infections continue to decline, prompting the government to hold another round of mass immunizations. Authorities are also bringing jabs to houses, private clinics and transport terminals to widen the rollout.
Since March 2021, over 63.9 million Filipinos have completed vaccination against COVID-19.
A new thread on the Philippines' vaccination program in 2021 in the government's revised objective to reach "population protection." Bookmark our COVID-19 and Vaccination Dashboard for the latest figures on the pandemic in the Philippines. — Main image: The STAR/Michael Varcas, file
The city government of Valenzuela City announces that it is temporarily suspending the use of Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 vaccines as they wait for more vaccine supplies.
ADVISORY: Pansamantalang inihinto ang pagbabakuna ng Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 vaccine sa Valenzuela habang naghihintay ng karagdagang supply. (????: Valenzuela LGU) pic.twitter.com/j4yO52jgMN
— PTVph (@PTVph) August 7, 2023
Pasig City government announces the schedule of COVID-19 vaccination in the city from July 15 until July 28.
It advises residents that first, second dose and first and 2nd booster shots are available on a first come, first serve basis in its designated vaccination sites.
Among the available vaccine brands is Sinovac for 6 years old and above. It adds that there are no Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines yet for residents age 12 and above.
Schedule ng Pagbabakuna sa Pasig City |07/25/2023-07/28/2023 | First Come, First Served Basis
— Pasig Info (@PasigInfo) July 24, 2023
Tingnan ang material para sa vaccination sites kung saan makakapagpa - 1st at 2nd dose, at 1st at 2nd booster shot; at kung ano ang mga dapat dalhin sa araw ng pagbabakuna
1/3 pic.twitter.com/yqKG0S41CM
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to lead the rollout of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccination at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City. — The STAR/Helen Flores
President Marcos will lead the launch of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccination at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City on Wednesday morning. (Photo courtesy of MPC pool) | @helenmflores pic.twitter.com/wbB2An7xgg
— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) June 21, 2023
The Department of Health reminds public that they can still avail of the COVID-19 booster and bivalent booster. It reposted an infographic that determines when it is best to get the first two boosters and the bivalent booster.
Senior citizens and frontline health workers may now get their second booster shots, particularly mRNA jabs such as Moderna and Pfizer, the Department of Health announces. — Gaea Katreena Cabico
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