The Philippines has approved the emergency use of Russia's Sputnik Light Covid-19 vaccine, the country's vaccine procurement chief said, making it among the first countries in Asia to approve the single-dose vaccine, Reuters reports.

The approval by the Philippines' food and drug agency will allow the country to follow up its order for 10 million doses, Carlito Galvez, a retired general who handles the government's vaccine procurement, told a news conference.

The government expects vaccine manufacturers to increase deliveries in September and October, Galvez said.