PASIG CITY, May 6 (PIA) -- At least 800 health and medical frontline workers, senior citizens, and persons with comorbidities received the highly-anticipated first dose of Sputnik V vaccine in Makati City on Tuesday, marking the Russian-made jabs' initial rollout in the Philippines, according to a report by Philippine News Agency.
Makati is among the five cities to receive 3,000 doses of Sputnik V for having the capacity to store the vials with a temperature not exceeding -18 degrees Celsius.
Among those who received the shot on Tuesday was senior citizen Dionito Perdillo, a report by the Philippine News Agency said.
The 65-year old driver said he is thankful to finally get a coronavirus jab for an extra layer of protection, as he described, after months into the pandemic.
"Ako kahit anong vaccine naman at hindi naman ako natakot kasi proteksyon ito. Ako talaga gusto ko nang mabakunahan rin kasi gusto ko ring makauwi sa Iloilo," he said before he received the vaccine.
Japanese Shigetaka Mishuku, 73, shares the same reason -- to protect himself and those around him from the disease.
"Ayokong makakuha ng corona [COVID-19], so any brand basta effective," he told reporters after getting the jab.
Mishuku, a Makati resident, is confident about the safety of the vaccine, saying authorities would not offer this if they found that it would compromise the health of the recipient.
"They tested it so I believe I have no problem... It is safe so I believe I have no problem at all," he said, also urging other senior citizens to take their jabs to fast-track the country's recovery.
"I think they should also get vaccinated, everybody should be vaccinated so that we can go back to normal life as soon as possible," he said.
Makati Assistant Health Officer Dr. Roland Unson said Sputnik V has an above 90 percent efficacy against COVID-19 and is safe for use.
"Ayon naman po sa Department of Health and the Food and Drug Administration lahat naman po ng vaccines natin ay effective lalo na sa severe COVID-19 so kaysa walang bakuna, mas magandang magpabakuna na kahit anong brand," he said.
Unson said the city targets to vaccinate 800 people a day using the Russian jabs until supplies last.
In Makati alone, more than 35,000 people have so far been inoculated by different brands of vaccines. (PIA NCR)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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