Philippines receives 804K doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for kids

The Philippines received on Thursday a total of 804,000 doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for minors aged 5 to 11.

The fresh batch of government procured vaccines through the World Bank were delivered by DHL Express Flight LD456 past 9 p.m., the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 confirmed in a Viber message.

The NTF said the country also received 804,000 doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 on Wednesday.

The pilot rollout of COVID-19 vaccination for 5 to 11 years old in the country started in the National Capital Region last February 7.

The Department of Health earlier said the government has secured 30 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for the inoculation of children in the 5 to 11 age group against COVID-19.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the vaccination of minors is purely voluntary and parents should decide whether or not their children will get jabbed.

She added that vaccination will prevent a reported phenomenon in children called Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome, a severe form of COVID-19 which results in multiple organ failures.

The Philippines started its vaccination program in March 2021.—LDF, GMA News