Russian vaccine trials to start in Philippines in October

Trials will be carried out by Russia and the Philippines during the same period

PHILIPPINES

RSS

Phase 3 clinical trials of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine will be held in the Philippines from October to March, Philippine presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on Thursday.

The spokesperson added, as cited by the Inquirer newspaper, that the Russian government will fund the trials, which predicted vaccinating thousands of patients to test its efficiency and safety.

Phase 3 trials will be carried out by Russia and the Philippines during the same period, according to Roque. The spokesperson said that Manila expects the Philippines' Food and Drug Administration to approve the Russian-made vaccine by April 2021.

The vaccine, developed by the Gamaleya Research institute, was named Sputnik V and registered on Tuesday. Russian President Vladimir Putin endorsed the vaccine, saying it has passed all necessary checks. Manila was one of the first to express interest in Sputnik V and readiness to cooperate with Moscow on clinical trials and production, while Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte even volunteered to take the inoculation in public.

ALSO READ :

Compulsory PCR Test For Health Workers

Prohibitory Order Extended For 3 Days In Bardiya

Bhutan Imposes 1st Nationwide Lockdown

Tuberculosis Takes Its Toll On Elephants Since 2002

Hotels In Sauraha Closed Two Weeks After Opening