Senators weigh in on vaccinating minors for COVID-19

After Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director-General Eric Domingo said the national government would have to vaccinate an additional 12 to 14 million people for COVID-19 if the inoculation of those aged 17 and below would be allowed, senators on Monday gave their respective opinions on the issue.

Senator Panfilo Lacson said vaccines for minors are not yet included in the budget, adding that the Department of Health is requesting an additional P25 billion for the vaccination of those 12 to 15-years-old.

He said those 16 to 17-years-old are not yet included on the DOH's request.

"Instead of a supplemental budget, the NEP (National Expenditure Program) can already include the additional funding requirements in case they can implement [it] in 2022. If not included in the President’s budget, Congress can realign through amendments," Lacson said.

Senator Nancy Binay, for her part, said she backs the initiative to vaccinate as many age groups as possible, including minors, amid the continuing threat of the pandemic. She, however, said the vaccination process should still focus on vulnerable sectors.

"At this point, Pfizer is the only vaccine approved for children. Baka kasi paasahin na naman ang marami sa wala," Binay said.

"The focus should be directed to the vulnerable sectors. 'Yung mga di pa nababakunahan, jeepney and bus drivers, street vendors, 'yung mga nasa frontline-backend service industries at marami pa including senior citizens and those with comorbidities who have to go out of their homes to work," Binay said.

(The focus should be directed to the vulnerable sectors including those jeepney and bus drivers, street vendors, those in the frontline-backend service industries, senior citizens, and those with comorbidities who have to go out of their homes to work.)

She said it would be unfair to talk about the inoculation of children when a huge part of the priority age groups are not vaccinated yet.

"I just hope that the IATF and DOH can manage people's expectations with regard [to] the availability of vaccines. So, let's be more practical and realistic," Binay said.

On the other hand, Senator Ralph Recto emphasized that the government should balance its vaccine procurement. He advised the government to not solely rely on China's Sinovac vaccine.

"My understanding is there is sufficient budget cover to purchase vaccines. We haven't spent most of it, as many vaccines are donated. Surely, there will be a need to provide appropriations to purchase additional vaccines next year," Recto said.

"We should procure more effective vaccines and not rely on Sinovac for most of our vaccines. There are reports that Sinovac is less effective against the Delta variant, etc. My advice is to do risk management in vaccine procurement," he added.

As to the budget for the vaccination of minors, Senator Franklin Drilon said "there are enough undisbursed budget items in the 2020 and 2021 GAAs and the GOCCs that can be realigned to vaccine purchases until Dec 31, 2021."

He said the government should prioritize funding and releases of social services, including vaccine procurement and other assistance, instead of allocating the money for the NTF-ELCAC.

Senator Sonny Angara said the allocation of funds for this matter should be studied.

"Baka puwedeng pag-aralan ang supplemental budget or i-prioritize ito sa 2022 budget," Angara said.

(This needs to be studied, if this may be included in the supplemental budget or if it will be prioritized in the 2022 budget.)

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III expressed support for the vaccination of minors against COVID-19, provided that there are enough supplies.

Duque said the matter is being studied by the Vaccine Expert Panel and the All Experts Group of the Department of Health. — DVM, GMA News