PH to donate over 5M Sputnik V vax doses to Myanmar

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 2) — The Philippines will donate over five million expiring doses of Sputnik V vaccines to Myanmar, the Department of Health said Monday.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said discussions with the Myanmar Red Cross Society regarding the donation are ongoing.

“A total of five million plus doses ang ini-intend natin na ma-donate sa Myanmar. Discussions are still ongoing. We have a meeting with them tomorrow. Kaya lang may proseso din tayo sa Pilipinas para maipatupad itong pagdo-donate, because this is the first time that the Philippines will donate vaccines to other countries,” said Vergeire in a virtual briefing.

[Translation: We intend to donate five million plus doses to Myanmar. Discussions are still ongoing. We have a meeting with them tomorrow. However, we also need to follow the process here in the Philippines to proceed with the donation. This is the first time that the Philippines will donate vaccines to other countries.]

She added that they need to secure a clearance first from the Commission on Audit and the Department of Budget and Management to proceed with the donation of unused vaccine stocks.

“Kailangan magka-clearance muna tayo from the Commission on Audit and the Department of Budget and Management. Ito namang dalawang ahensya, napagutusan ng Office of the President to act expeditiously kung ano mang clearances ang kakailanganin dito,” said Vergeire.

[Translation: We need to secure clearance first from the Commission on Audit and the Department of Budget and Management. Meanwhile, these two agencies were ordered by the Office of the President to act expeditiously when it comes to the clearances that we need.]

Presidential adviser for entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion earlier warned that some ₱40 billion worth of COVID-19 vaccine doses may expire soon and go to waste due to low immunization turnout.

Aside from Myanmar, the government also intends to donate some expiring doses to Papua New Guinea.

Vergeire said COVAX—the UN-backed vaccine program—remains committed to replace over 3.6 million expired COVID-19 vaccines in the country.