The country will be participating in the mass testing of a novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccine that is being developed by a Russian company.
In an online press briefing on Thursday, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed the Gamaleya Institute will simultaneously conduct phase three of its clinical trials here and in Russia from Oct. 2020 to March 2021.
“Russia will provide the fund for the clinical trial, which will be done in the Philippines,” Roque said.
Voluntary participation
On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the vaccine, named Sputnik-V after the first ever man-made satellite, was finally approved by its regulatory agency.
The results of the Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the vaccine is scheduled to undergo an expert panel review next month in preparation for the Phase 3, wherein the vaccine will be used on thousands of people to determine its efficacy and safety.
Roque stressed participation in the local testing of the vaccine will be voluntary.
Aside from allowing the country to participate in the clinical trial, Roque said they also expect the Russian government will transfer the technology for the vaccine so it could be locally manufactured.
Presidential use
After the anticipated completion of the phase 3 trial by April, Roque said the vaccine is expected to be finally registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
He said that is the time, when President Rodrigo R. Duterte is expected to have himself injected with the said Russian-developed Covid-19 vaccine subject to the consideration of the Presidential Security Group (PSG).
Roque, however, explained the President may have himself inoculated against Covid-19 with other vaccines being developed in China, United States, and United Kingdom.
On Monday, Duterte announced he will be among the first to make use of a vaccine against Covid-19 to ensure it will be safe for public use.
Image credits: AP
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