Filtered By: Topstories
News

Vaccination of 12–17 age group may start end of September, October —Galvez


The vaccination of children against COVID-19 could start by the end of September or October depending on the supply of vaccines, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said Sunday.

"We are trying to look na maybe by the end of September or October, we will open up to adolescent vaccination," he said at a press conference after the arrival of 326,400 Moderna doses for the government and private sector at NAIA Terminal 3.

"We will start from 12 to 17," Galvez also said, adding that they need 26 million doses of vaccines for inoculation of adolescents in the country.

The Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given an EUA (emergency use authorization) to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for use on those aged 12 to 17 years old. 

Sinovac has also asked the FDA for approval to use its vaccines on children and adolescents. 

"Once that we have supply of those vaccines, we can start. For as long as experts already allowed us to use these vaccines for 12 years and above or maybe three years and above," Galvez said.

Those vulnerable to COVID-19 are senior citizens and those with comorbidities. But in a recent analysis of Department of Health (DOH) data, virus infections among children soared by almost 30% amid the threat of the Delta variant. — BM, GMA News

LOADING CONTENT