Pfizer’s COVID vax for kids expected by end-January in a batch of 2-3M doses —Dizon

MANILA, Philippines — Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is expected to arrive in the country in an initial supply of two to three million doses by the end of January, presidential adviser for COVID-19 response Secretary Vince Dizon said on Thursday.

Currently, only Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children aged five to 11 has been approved for emergency use.

READ: FDA okays use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children 5-11 years old

“Only Pfizer has an approved EUA for below 12 years old, those aged five to 11. But, we’re waiting for the formulation for five- to 11-year olds which will arrive by the end of January,” Dizon, also the National Task Force Against COVID-19 deputy chief implementer, said in Filipino on CNN Philippines’ The Source.

“We have ordered 15 million doses for kids aged five to 11. We expect an initial delivery of maybe anywhere between two to three million doses by the end of January,” he added.

Testing czar Vince Dizon. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / JOAN BONDOC

The government has initially ordered 15 million Pfizer vaccine doses for the said age group and will purchase an additional 10 million doses.

READ: PH to order 10M more COVID-19 vaccines for kids aged 5 to 11 years

“What I know is, when the delivery commences, there will be arrivals every two weeks,” Dizon said.

Pfizer has a 90.7-percent efficacy for children aged below 12.

READ: Pfizer/BioNTech Covid vaccine shows 90.7% efficacy in trial in children

The government is reviewing three other applications for an amendment to the EUA that permits its use by minors, namely Covaxin from Bharat Biotech, CoronaVac from Sinovac, and Sinopharm’s vaccine.

READ: FDA evaluating 3 applications for kids, teens’ jabs

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