DOH waiting for results of COVID-19 vaccine trials on children

The Department of Health (DOH) will wait for results of more trials first before deciding on the inoculation of children with COVID-19 vaccine, according to Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Wednesday.

Interviewed on Unang Hirit, Vergeire said the DOH agrees with the World Health Organization that vaccination of children against COVID-19 requires further research.

“Kasi sa mga bakuna ngayon all over the world, wala pang nakakasubok doon sa mga bata below 16 [years old],” Vergeire said.

“Hihintay muna tayo ng sapat na ebidensya kung saan nasubukan na ang mga bakuna sa mga bata bago po natin mapatupad 'yan dito sa ating bansa.”

WHO representative to the Philippines Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe pointed out on Tuesday that the number of children that contracted COVID-19 is very low

“So they were not prioritized. There will be further research in the future when it will be cleared whether children should be vaccinated or not but at this point in time, we are not cleared on that,” he said.

Out of the over 100 million population in the country, the government is targeting to vaccinate some 50 million to 70 million this year.

The Philippines has so far secured 30 million doses of vaccines from India’s Serum Institute, 25 million from China’s Sinovac, and 2.6 million from AstraZeneca. —KBK, GMA News