Philippines looking into COVID-19 vaccination for children below 12

The Philippine government is now looking into vaccinating minors aged 5 to 11 against COVID-19 by 2022, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday.

“Actually, we have considered that in our plans for next year: vaccination of below 12 years old,” Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said at a press briefing.

“Napaguusapan na ‘yan at nilagay na nung ating mga planners ng programa for next year (that was talked about and it has been placed for the programs for next year).”

Cabotaje is also the chairperson of the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC). 

The Food and Drug Administration of the United States has approved Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for kids aged 5 to 11.

In the Philippines, such an authorization must be guided by the recommendation of experts, including the Health Technology Assessment Council, Cabotaje said. 

“Alam naman natin ang proseso natin sa pagbabakuna. Kailangan may Health Technology Assessment Council recommendation tapos ano ‘yung bakuna na bibilhin na pwede sa below 11 years old,” she said.

(We know the vaccination process. We need a Health Technology Assessment Council recommendation as well as the vaccines that will be used.)

On Wednesday, the Philippines kicked off its vaccination for all minors aged 12 to 17. The government is seeking to vaccinate 11.4 million people from this age group.

A total of 40,419 minors with comorbidities have been vaccinated against COVID-19 since the campaign started on October 15.

On Tuesday, the Philippines logged 2,303 new COVID-19 cases, the lowest daily count since the 2,067 cases reported on March 2. — VBL, GMA News