(REUTERS/Dado Ruvic)
MANILA, Philippines — American drugmaker Pfizer has submitted an application for emergency use authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine for children aged five to 11, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Sunday.
“Pfizer submitted the application this week and it is now under evaluation by our experts. We hope to make a decision before end of the month. No other new applications,” FDA Director General Eric Domingo told INQUIRER.net in a text message.
At present, only minors aged 12 to 17 are included in the COVID-19 vaccination program in the Philippines.
Pfizer earlier got authorization from the United States for the administration of its vaccine for minors aged five to 11 in October.
In the Philippines, the government aims to vaccinate around 13.5 million children in the said age group starting January 2022.