The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Thursday (June 10) assured that it will not allow pediatric COVID-19 vaccination without it undergoing thorough study.
This was after the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the emergency use authorization (EUA) of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds.
Four expert groups are currently looking into the matter, including the vaccines expert panel (VEP), FDA’s technical panel, Health Technology Assessment Council panel, and Department of Health (DOH) experts.
“Huwag po kayo ng mag-alala, hindi ho tayo susulong diyan nang hindi pinag-aralang masususi ng mga eksperto,” DOST Undersecretary Rowena Guevara said in an online broadcasters’ forum.
The DOST said it is also studying vaccination for pregnant women. It added that individuals with comorbidities should be prioritized.
Vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. earlier said teenagers will not yet be vaccinated using the more than two million Pfizer doses arriving on Thursday night (June 10).
“Sa ngayon adult population pa rin tayo. So ‘yung ating tinatawag na pediatric inoculation, we’ll go later maybe… Ang ano natin diyan, kapag dumating na ang bulto ng ating mga bakuna this coming fourth quarter,” Galvez said.
Speaking in his June 10 public briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the public should still wait for a sufficient vaccine supply before pushing through with the younger sector’s vaccination. – Report from Daniel Manalastas/AG-jlo#
