Marikina to get Sputnik vaccines next – Galvez

MANILA, Philippines — National Task Force against COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. has assured Mayor Marcelino Teodoro that Marikina City would get its share of the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccines after the initial 15,000 doses were distributed to five Metro Manila cities.

Selected local government units (LGUs) with ready cold storage facilities required for Sputnik vaccines received 3,000 doses, with the rollout starting in Manila, Makati, Muntinlupa, Parañaque and Taguig on Tuesday.

The national government procured 500,000 additional doses of Sputnik vaccines, which are expected to arrive in the coming months, according to Galvez.

“We are looking at the capacity of the LGUs as well as the training given by the National Vaccine Operations Center,” Galvez said. “Mayor Marcy Teodoro, don’t worry, you will get more vaccines during the next delivery of Gamaleya.”

Earlier, Teodoro questioned why Marikina did not get a portion of the Sputnik vaccines when the city hosts the required storage facility.

“We have very limited Sputnik vaccines for our pilot test, only 15,000 doses. But do not worry, we will compensate the vaccines in areas where we distribute the vaccines. Just like Sinovac and Gamaleya, which arrived at the same time, we compensated if some LGUs were not able to get Gamaleya, then they get more Sinovac,” Galvez explained.

Meanwhile, chief presidential legal adviser Salvador Panelo urged the public to follow the lead of President Duterte and trust the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, regardless of brand.

“Those who still have doubts or fears on the efficacy of the vaccines should put them to rest,” Panelo said.

“Vaccines will save us from death and spare us from being brought to the hospital,” he added.