Philippines gives approval to Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use

The Food and Drug Administration of the Philippines has given approval to Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use, as the country struggles with spike in infections.

The two-dose Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine has been developed by Russia-based Gamaleya Institute.

This vaccine is the fourth to get Emergency Use Authorization in the Philippines, reported Reuters.

FDA chief Rolando Enrique Domingo said at a news conference: “The known and potential benefits of the Gamaleya Sputnik V vaccine…outweigh the known and potential risks of said vaccine.”

Interim data indicated that the Russian vaccine had shown an efficacy of 91.6% in people aged 18 years and above.

Domingo said that US vaccine manufacturers Moderna and Johnson & Johnson have only made inquiries about the documentary requirements for EUA but need to file applications yet.

In the Southeast Asia, the Philippines has the second highest number of Covid-19 cases and deaths. It is witnessing a renewed surge in infections, with almost 20,000 new cases reported just in the last four days.

The Filipino government intends to make 140.5 million vaccines available by the end of this year to vaccinate 70 million adults.

The pandemic has badly impacted  its economy, which contracted by 9.5% last year.

It began vaccination programme on 1 March and has secured delivery of 1.125 million doses of Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines.