Duque: Teens won’t get COVID-19 vaccines yet due to supply scarcity

Teenagers will not yet be included in the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines since the scarce supplies will be allocated mostly for more vulnerable populations, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Thursday.

“Dahil kulang pa ang bakuna at hindi naman sila kabilang doon sa tinatawag natin na high-risk group, hindi muna natin sila pwedeng isama sa ngayon (Since we are low on vaccine supply and they are not part of the high-risk group, we won’t include them for now),” he said at the Laging Handa briefing.

Duque said senior citizens and persons with comorbidities are those in urgent need of COVID-19 vaccines.

“‘Yan ang kinakailangan talagang isulong natin dahil diyan po galing ang mga naoospital na talagang sila po ang nabibiktima ng nakamamatay na komplikasyon ng COVID-19 infection,” he explained.

(We really need to vaccinate them because they are the ones who die of complications due to COVID-19.)

Duque also said 85% of health workers, the top priority group in the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, have already gotten at least one dose. 

FDA to OK Pfizer for teens

Although teenagers are not yet a priority, Duque said the Vaccine Expert Panel has been studying the COVID-19 vaccination of younger age groups.

The Philippine Food and Drug Administration is expected to allow the use of the Pfizer jab on children aged 12 to 15 “within the week.” 

FDA chief Eric Domingo said experts have given “very favorable” recommendations on the use of the Pfizer shot on those 12 to 15 years old.

In the United States, the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for use on minors. 

Moderna’s COVID-19 jab also showed high efficacy in children aged 12 to 17. — RSJ, GMA News