FDA: Moderna applies for EUA to use COVID-19 vaccine for kids

American firm Moderna, Inc. has applied for emergency use authorization (EUA) to use its coronavirus vaccine for children aged 12 years and above in the Philippines, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director General Eric Domingo said Tuesday.

In a weekly Talk to the People briefing, Domingo said Moderna applied for an amendment in its EUA on Aug. 19, 2021.

He further said the vaccine experts are currently looking into the firm's application.

"Hopefully, within this week or next week makumpleto na ang evaluation  nito," Domingo pointed out during the taped Cabinet briefing.

Meanwhile, the FDA did not grant China firm Sinovac's application for the use of vaccines for kids due to its lack of clinical trials for children.

"'Yung kanilang (Sinovac) petition na ma-include yung children ay hindi pa po natin gina-grant at this time kasi noong tinignan ng vaccine experts, medyo maliit yung Phase 1 and Phase 2 trial na kung kasama yung mga bata na 3 years old to 17 years old," Domingo pointed out.

"We advise the company to send us reports kapag mas maraming clinical trials  on children so we can revisit," said Domingo. 

Domingo had said 12 million to 14 million additional vaccine doses will be needed to inoculate children all over the country.

Currently, the Philippines is vaccinating only the adult population or those aged 18 years old and above.

“If we are going to include those 12 to 17 years old [in our vaccination program], that would mean additional 12 to 14 million [people to be vaccinated],” Domingo said during the Laging Handa briefing held last Aug. 9. -- BAP, GMA News