THE DEVELOPER OF Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine announced today its shot had been approved for use in the Philippines, becoming the 52nd country to give the green light to the Russian jab.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) launched a rolling review of Sputnik V earlier this month, though it has not specified how long the process might take.

EU members can approve vaccines for emergency use within their own borders, and so far Hungary is the only member state to have granted emergency national authorisation for the Russian jab.

Leading medical journal The Lancet said last month that Sputnik V is safe and over 90% effective, easing some concerns surrounding the lack of transparency with early data.

The Russian Ambassador to Ireland Yury Filatov said in a statement that Ireland has yet to ask for supplies of the vaccine and that Russia would be happy to supply us “if the Irish government is interested”.

There have been several calls across the Irish political spectrum for Ireland to do it’s own side deals, however, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said Ireland would stick to vaccines that are authorised by the EMA.

So today we’re asking: Would you take a non-EMA approved vaccine?

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More