The Philippines already laid out a schedule for Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V, targeting to conduct clinical trials involving thousands of Filipinos starting October.

In the schedule, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to get injected with the vaccine on May 1, 2021 at the earliest.

This target schedule was presented by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday, August 13, during a virtual press briefing.

The first thing that will take place, according to the schedule, is a review of the Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials conducted by Russia’s Gamaleya Institute on Sputnik V. The review will be conducted by the Philippines’ Vaccine Expert Panel next month, September.

If the vaccine passes the assessment, the Philippines will then conduct Phase 3 clinical trials “simultaneous with Russia” from October to March 2021 – a period of 5 months.

Roque said Russia will fund the clinical trials in the Philippines.

Phase 3 clinical trials usually involve thousands of participants. Roque did not mention how many Filipinos will be part of the trials if they push through.

If the trials are successful, Sputnik V may be registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in April 2021.

If this schedule is followed, Roque said Duterte can get vaccinated with the Russian treatment “at the earliest” on May 1, 2021.

Safety concerns

The Philippines’ preparations for Russia’s vaccine comes amid loud concerns raised by health experts all over the world on its safety and efficacy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin vouched for the safety and efficacy of Sputnik V, even saying his own daughter was inoculated with it.

Duterte, who has often called Putin his “idol,” also placed great trust in the vaccine, his basis for volunteering to be injected with it in public.

“I will tell President Putin that I have great trust in your studies in combating [COVID-19] and I believe that the vaccine that you have produced is really good for humanity,” said the Philippine leader last Monday, August 10.

Asked on Thursday if these remarks from the President would have an influence on the experts’ panel tasked by government to review Sputnik V, Roque said, “Wala naman po, no (None). This is conducted by scientists, not politicians so I think they will be following strict scientific protocols.”

Roque has said previously that the Russian vaccine will undergo the same level of scrutiny that all other vaccines must go through under the Philippine government before the greenlight of clinical trials.

“It will also go through our process. The Russians understand that because we have laws. Unless the FDA declares an emergency, compassionate use, then it’s possible. But for mass distribution, I think the law needs to be followed and that calls for clinical trials,” said the Duterte spokesman on Tuesday. – Rappler.com