PH eyes vaccination of ‘pediatric sector’ by September or October

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government is eyeing to start vaccinating the pediatric sector or persons 17 years old and below by September or October, the country’s vaccine manager said Tuesday.

“We are looking forward na yung 29 million na pediatric sector natin ay mababakunahan natin at yan po by September or October,” vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said in an online briefing.

(We are looking forward to the vaccination of 29 million persons under the pediatric sector by September or October.)

But for now, Galvez said the vaccination will focus first on the country’s adult population or persons 18 years old and above.

Galvez also said he is looking forward to Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine securing an emergency use authorization (EUA) allowing it to be administered on those aged 12 to 15.

Pfizer’s existing EUA states it can be administered to individuals 16 years old and above.

Earlier, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said teens will not be included in the vaccination program for now due to the limited vaccine supply.

EDV