Filipino experts to study China's emergency use approval of Sinovac in kids —Vergeire

The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday welcomed China's approval on the emergency use of Sinovac Biotech's COVID-19 vaccine for those aged between three and 17.

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said health experts in the Philippines would study this once the pharmaceutical firm submits a revision of its emergency use authority.

"Magandang balita 'yan, kung talagang makikita natin na 'yun talagang pag-aaral ay may accuracy at saka makikita natin na 'yung basis nila at 'yung ebidensya nila ay maganda, maganda itong balita hindi lang para sa Pilipinas kung hindi para sa buong mundo," told reporters.

(This is good news. If we will see that the study is accurate and that it has good basis, this is good news not only for the Philippines but also for the entire world.)

"Tayo ay laging bukas sa ganitong makabago saka innovative na ginagawa para maexpand natin ang coverage ng ating pagbabakuna. Pagka nabuo na nila ang mga ebidensya at nakumpleto na nila 'yung mga trial at nagsumite sila dito sa Pilipinas ng revision ng kanilang emergency use authority, pag-aaralan po 'yan ng ating mga eksperto," she added.

(We are always open to this kind of development for the expansion of our vaccination rollout. If Sinovac completes their trial and submits its revision of the emergency use authority, our experts will study that.)

Reports said offering Sinovac's vaccine to younger groups would depend on health authorities formulating China's inoculation strategies.

Minors in China have lower priority for vaccination against the coronavirus compared with the elderly, who face higher risk of severe symptoms after infection.—AOL, GMA News