By Gabriela Baron
An infectious disease expert mulled on Thursday, May 19, the administration of COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for minors.
Amid the threat of the new Omicron subvariant, Vaccine Expert Panel Member Dr. Rontgene Solante has recommended giving COVID-19 booster shots to kids aged five to 11.
“Importante ‘yun… [nang] alam natin at mapursigi natin na maprotektahan ang vulnerable population and the bulk of the five to 11 years old is one of [the] vulnerable population na makakakuha ng severe COVID-19,” Solante said during the Laging Handa briefing.
“Siguro hindi pa na-approve dito ang 12 to 17 so, ‘yun ang titingnan dapat ng mga authorities natin na 5 to 11 and then 12 to 17 will also get the booster shots,” he added.
The Department of Health approved on Wednesday, May 18, the administration of a second booster dose COVID-19 vaccine for senior citizens and frontline health workers. – ag