COVID-19 vaccines proven safe, effective for kids 5 to 11 –pediatricians

Pediatricians assured parents that COVID-19 vaccines were proven safe and effective for minors aged 5 to 11, and the child care specialists fully supported Monday's vaccination rollout for the said age group.

In the pivotal vaccine trial conducted among children ages 5-11 years, the vaccine was safe and effective, preventing 90.9% of symptomatic COVID-19, the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) and the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP) said in a statement.

"No serious adverse events nor deaths were found related to the vaccination," said the PPS and the PIDSP. "Serious adverse events were rarely reported, though local and systemic reactions were reported as expected."

Pain at the injection site, fatigue, and headaches were among the side effects reported. But health experts said these were a “normal sign that the body is building protection.”

"We, therefore, reiterate that vaccination is the best way to protect children from COVID-19 and its complications. COVID-19 is now vaccine-preventable," the group emphasized.

"Parents and guardians of children aged 5-11 years are enjoined to discuss vaccination with their healthcare provider and obtain their information from reputable sources with the right experience and expertise," they added.

After the first batch of Pfizer vaccines arrived on Friday night, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said the vaccination rollout for the said age group would start on Monday.

Around 780,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines for children have arrived, with 1.5 million doses expected next week.

Due to logistical challenges, the Philippine government postponed the COVID-19 vaccination of minors aged 5 to 11 to Monday-February 7.

Malacañang initially said that vaccinations would be rolled-out in six vaccination sites in the National Capital Region Friday.

The sites were the Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, National Children’s Hospital, Manila Zoo, SM North Edsa (Skydome), and the Fil Oil Gym in San Juan City.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that vaccinations sites across Metro Manila, Region 3, and Region 4A would be expanded to 38 on Tuesday. — DVM, GMA News