Philippine FDA OKs Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 6-11

The Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the emergency use authorization (EUA) of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 6 to 11 years old, the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed on Tuesday.

In its regular briefing, Health Promotion and Communication Service Director Dr. Beverly Ho noted that the Philippine FDA granted the amendment to the EUA of Moderna on May 20, 2022, for use as a primary vaccine series for the said age group.

The DOH will, however, still await the recommendation of the World Health Organization for the use of Moderna for ages 6 to 11. This will be the guide of the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) for its independent evaluation. 

Citing published and peer-reviewed clinical data, Zuellig Pharma Corporation’s ZP Therapeutics said in a statement that two 50-μg doses of the Moderna's Spikevax vaccine have “an acceptable safety profile and elicits a strong immune response for children aged 6 to 11.”

They also pointed out that the efficacy of Spikevax among the younger age group is similar to those in adults.

“This is a welcome development in expanding COVID-19 vaccine access within our pediatric population,” said Zuellig Pharma Corporation medical doctor Dr. Philip Nakpil. “The Spikevax COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna boosts opportunities in ensuring more children are protected against the virus.”

In late December of 2021, the Philippine FDA approved the EUA for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for ages 5 to 11 years old.

ZP Therapeutics said that National Regulatory Authorities of Canada, European Economic Area, and Australia, among other countries, have also recently approved the use of the Spikevax for children 6 to 11 years old.

Based on the DOH’s national COVID-19 vaccination dashboard, at least 151 million doses have already been administered in the country as of May 29.

Of this number, 70.8 million Filipinos are already fully vaccinated against COVID-19, while 66.7 million have received one dose. Some 14 million individuals have also received booster shots. —KG, GMA News