DOH: Primary COVID-19 vaccination enough protection for minors aged 12 to 17 for now

MANILA, Philippines — Prevailing evidence currently shows that the primary vaccination series against COVID-19 provides enough protection for now for those aged 12 to 17 years, the Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said there are still not enough studies on whether or not adolescents should be given COVID-19 booster shots once they complete the vaccine’s initial two doses.

However, she said that the government is ready to study the administration of booster shots if there would be enough studies and it would be recommended by global experts.

“Up until now, evidence still points na yung primary series ng ganitong adolescent children ay enough pa rin sa kanila to protect them from severe infections, hospitalizations, and deaths,” she said in a Palace briefing.

(Up until now, evidence still points that the primary series vaccination for adolescent children is enough to protect them from severe infections, hospitalizations, and deaths.)

“Pag dumating yung punto na nakumpleto na yug ebidensya at may rekomendasyon na base sa global experts, tayo ay mag aaral na ukol dyan at tayo ay magbibigay pero sa ngayon wala pa,” he added.

(When we get to the point that the evidence is complete and there is a recommendation from global experts, we will study it and we will administer it, but for now, there is none yet.)

The government started inoculating minors late last year. Booster shots can be administered to individuals at least three months after their second dose of the COVID-19.

However, existing emergency use authorizations for the administration of booster shots only cover 18 years old and above.

Vergeire said over 9.3 million 12 to 17-year-olds have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

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