Residents who are waiting for the arrival of their second dose of Gamaleya’s Sputnik V vaccine have been told their first dose is still effective as advised by medical experts following the continuous delay in the arrival of supply of the vaccine brand in the country.
The city has more than 5,000 vaccinees administered with Sputnik’s first dose who have not yet received their second dose scheduled in different dates last July, or a delay of more than two months now.
The latest batch of Sputnik V that arrived in the country was only 15,000 doses last Aug. 13.
Although the city did not announce it got a share from this latest batch and while the City Health Services Office did not include it in its posting of daily schedule of vaccination, around 400 doses Sputnik V were administered on Sept. 14.
A staff of the city’s vaccination hotline said the doses were given to health workers, and staff members at the vaccination site said it was only for those who have received a text message from the local government unit.
Still, some vaccinees lined up at the SM vaccination site taking their chance but were later told all the slots were allotted.
City Administrator Bonifacio dela Peña said the delay in the arrival of Sputnik V vaccine presents a dilemma, but added experts had advised the due date for the second dose has not yet expired.
However, in the event the city’s supply still does not arrive, dela Peña assured there will be a plan B or alternative upon the recommendation of authorities.
He added the city was earlier assured supplies will arrive from the national government but even the national government has not yet received enough due to the huge demand for the vaccine in Russia where its manufacturer is based.
“We understand that we cannot avoid doubting the extensions of due dates for Sputnik V second dose but that is coming from doctors who said it can be done based on analysis. In the event na hindi dumating ito, there will be a plan B,” he said. – Hanna C. Lacsamana
April 19, 2024
