DOH: Lone case of pediatric adverse reaction to COVID vaccine nothing serious, only rashes

(INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA)

MANILA, Philippines — An 11-year old boy experienced a non-serious adverse event after receiving a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine which was resolved within the day, an official of the Department of Health reported Tuesday.

Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said that the minor had rashes.

“Base sa report na nakuha natin kahapon, may isa po tayong report na nakapagtala ng isang kaso ng non-serious adverse event following immunization or AEFI,” she said during the Laging Handa briefing.

(Based on the report we got yesterday, we had a report that listed one non-serious adverse event following immunization or AEFI.)

“Isa itong 11 years old, male, mula sa Parañaque. Namantal ‘yung braso at mga kamay niya pagkatapos mabakunahan pero sa araw ding ‘yun ay nawala na ito. ‘Yung tinatawag na nag-resolve ‘yung kanyang rashes,” she continued.

(He is 11 years old, male, from Parañaque. His arm and hands had rashes but it was resolved within the day.)

The pediatric vaccination for minors aged five to 11 commenced on Monday, February 7.

As of 8:00 p.m. on February 7, a total of 9,784 minors aged five to 11 received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, Cabotaje said.

Earlier, the National Task Force Against COVID-19 said that there are 15.5 million minors in the said age group.

To date, only Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is authorized to be used for the said age group.

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