By NG Seruela
The Department of Health (DOH) asserted its recommendation to prioritize the vaccination of the adults based on the “prioritization framework” following the National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19’s recommendation to vaccinate ages 12 to 17 years old in September or October.
In President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Talk to the People on Monday (Aug. 9) evening, Health Sec. Francisco Duque III said the vaccine supply must still be considered before allowing the children’s vaccination against COVID-19.
“Kinakailangan rin natin isaalang-alang ang kasalukuyang supply ng mga bakuna bago po tayo magpasya o pahintulutan ang pagbabakuna ng mga bata. Kaya naman po nananatili ang rekomendasyon ng DOH na bigyang prayoridad pa rin ang pagbabakuna ng mga adults base po sa atin pong prioritization framework,” he said.
He added that “safety, equity, and protection” are also part of the consideration for vaccinating kids. He said a thorough review of the vaccines’ safety especially for immunocompromised children must be taken seriously. In addition to this, Duque said they “can consider actually giving vaccination already to children who might be having comorbidities” for protection against the virus.
However, the DOH chief pointed out the lack of vaccine supply worldwide, especially that only the Pfizer vaccine has an emergency use authorization (EUA) for children use granted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“Batid natin ang kakulangan ng pandaigdigang supply ng mga bakuna at kahit pa simulan natin ang pagbabakuna po sa mga bata ay hindi rin sasapat para sa kanila ang supply na mayroon ang bansa sa kasalukuyan,” he said.
Cocoon concept
Duque further explained the “Cocoon concept” which is a strategy that provides protection by vaccinating the majority of the members in a household, thus giving protection to the unvaccinated child.
“Kapag halimbawa sa isang bahay lima kayo, babakunahan ‘yung apat, ‘yung bata doon kahit na hindi bakunado, protektado na rin po siya. Iyan po ang tinatawag na ring vaccination or cocoon concept,” he said.
Duque then emphasized that by vaccinating adults, protection is also given to the kids.
“Ang pagbabakuna sa mga nakatatanda ay nakakabuti rin sa ating mga kabataan. Tandaan po natin ‘yan. Kaya naman po, hanggang kulang pa ang ating mga supplies, iminumungkahi natin unahin muna ang mga nakatatanda.”
The NTF recommended the children’s vaccination against COVID-19 due to the vulnerability of children to the virus especially those who have comorbidities. Vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez pointed out the COVID-19 cases in the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) where some children are admitted while several are in critical condition due to their comorbidities. – rir
READ MORE: http://152.42.253.13/ntf-eyes-vax-for-12-to-17-yrs-old-in-september-october/
