CAGAYAN de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez today said that some 18,000 doses of Sputnik V vaccine for Covid-19 arrived in the city Thursday, September 23.
The much-awaited second dose (Component 2) of Sputnik V, Rodriguez said now await instructions from the Department of Health (DOH) for its "specialized" handling and administering.
In a text message, DOH-10 Regional Director Boy Llacuna informed Rodriguez of the shipment of 9,200 vials or 18,000 doses of Sputnik V to be administered to 20,000 individuals.
It can be recalled that on September 14, Rodriguez wrote to DOH Secretary Francisco Doque III and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez to expedite the procurement and delivery of Sputnik V vaccine to Cagayan de Oro after 12,259 Kagay-anons missed their scheduled 2nd dose in July due to supply shortage.
On September 17, Secretary Galvez replied that he had endorsed the request of Rodriguez to the National Vaccination Operation Center (NVOC) chaired by Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje for appropriate action.
Rodriguez expressed his gratitude to Doque and Galvez for the delivery of the Sputnik V vaccines to Cagayan de Oro despite challenges in logistics and supplies.
On the other hand, DS Rodriguez has secured 2,000 doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines from San Miguel Corporation through its President and CEO Ramon Ang.
The initial shipment of 1,000 doses will be on September 30, 2021, and another 1,000 doses on November 30, 2021, to fully vaccinate 1,000 residents in Cagayan de Oro. (PR)
