Duterte to welcome 2.8 million Sputnik V vaccines tonight

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte is expected to receive the biggest shipment of Russian-made vaccines at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City tonight.

The supply – 2,805,000 doses of Sputnik V vaccines – was procured by the Philippine government and will be flown to the country by Air Bridge Cargo Airlines.

Russian Ambassador Marot Pavlov, along with National Task Force against COVID-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, will join the Chief Executive in welcoming the vaccines.

The Bureau of Customs “One Stop Shop” at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport pre-cleared the shipment yesterday after the Department of Health and the Food and Drug Administration presented the advance documents for verification and releasing purposes.

Last Wednesday, 2.7 million Sputnik V vaccine doses also arrived at the NAIA Terminal 2 on board a Philippine Airlines chartered flight from Moscow.

Meanwhile, the Philippines also expects the arrival of 793,900 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines tomorrow at the NAIA Terminal 3. The shipment will be flown by the Emirates via Dubai.

Galvez said the government aims to administer 15 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines this month to allow more Filipinos to enjoy the Christmas season.