2,400 Pfizer-BioNTech doses for pediatric COVID-19 vaccination arrive

The Philippines welcomed 2,400 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for pediatric vaccinations on Wednesday night.

The fresh batch of vaccine doses, procured through the World Bank, was delivered at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 past 8 p.m., the National Task Force Against COVID-19 said.

The pilot rollout of COVID-19 vaccination for minors aged 12 to 17 years old in the country started in November 2021, while vaccination for children aged 5 to 11 began in February 2022.

On Tuesday, the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave emergency use authorization (EUA) to Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 6 to 11 years old.

Health Promotion and Communication Service Director Dr. Beverly Ho noted that the Philippine FDA granted the amendment to Moderna's EUA 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.

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. — Mel Matthew Doctor/BM, GMA News