Sputnik vaccines to be rolled out in 5 Metro Manila cities

MANILA, Philippines — The initial 15,000 doses of Russia-made Sputnik V vaccines procured by the national government will be equally divided among five cities in Metro Manila with the cold storage facilities for the jabs.

Makati, Manila, Muntinlupa, Parañaque and Taguig will receive 3,000 doses each to vaccinate healthcare workers and persons with comorbidities.

The vaccines manufactured by Russian drug firm Gamaleya arrived in Manila on May 1.

Manila yesterday received 3,000 vials of Sputnik vaccines from the national government, augmenting the city’s COVID-19 inoculation program.

The Russian-made jabs arrived at the Sta. Ana Hospital where these will be stored in at least -18 degrees Celsius compartments to preserve the efficacy of the vaccines.

“Priority dito ang ating mga medical frontliners who have yet to be vaccinated,” Mayor Isko Moreno said in a statement.

Just like AstraZeneca and Sinovac, the Sputnik V also requires two doses.

The distribution of Sputnik vaccines in Metro Manila cities is considered a trial run.

The Makati government said it would immediately use the vaccines to inoculate frontliners and others on the priority list.

“We will add the Sputnik vaccines to our existing supplies for A2 and A3 inoculation, including senior citizens and those with comorbidities,” city spokesman Michael Camiña told reporters.

As of Saturday, a total of 36,514 people in Makati, mostly health workers, the elderly and those with comorbidities have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Muntinlupa government said it would store the Sputnik vaccines at the cold storage facilities at the Ospital ng Muntinlupa and Asian Hospital and Medical Center.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi said 24,163 residents have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccines as of May 1.