By Gabriela Baron
The Department of Health (DOH) National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) started preparations for the inoculation of minors aged 12 to 17.
The vaccine to be used as a booster is Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents aged 12 to 17 at least five months after the second dose of the primary series, regardless of the brand of the primary series vaccine.
The rollout follows the vaccination of the immunocompromised individuals from the same population group, which started June 23.
Meanwhile, the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) reaffirmed its support for the efficient and effective implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination program for all adolescents.
“NVOC would like to thank our esteemed colleagues in the HTAC for their support in boosting our wall of immunity. We appreciate their work as experts ensuring the most cost-effective and beneficial use of our health resources,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.
“NVOC will be releasing implementation guidelines very soon,” Vergeire added. –ag