DOH: Vaccination for kids aged 5-11 eyed for 2022

Inoculation of COVID-19 vaccine for kids aged 5 to 11 might be possible next year, according to the Department of Health in a press briefing on Wednesday.

DOH Undersecretary and Chairperson of the National Vaccination Operations Center Dr. Myrna Cabotaje stated that the vaccination for kids below 12 years old is currently being considered for next year’s vaccination plan.

Dr. Cabotaje also added that a recommendation from the Health Technology Assessment Council is needed to identify which vaccines to buy for the pediatric population aged 11 and below.

US Food and Drug Administration has recently issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine- the first vaccine brand to get such clearance- which was found to be 90.7% effective in preventing COVID-19 in children 5 through 11.

National Task Force against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr. has mentioned shortly after US FDA’s announcement that vaccination for the age group will start once local authorities have completed safety protocols and necessary assessments.

Cabotaje hopes that the opening of vaccination to the Rest of the Population (ROP) and the pediatric population, households will be encouraged to get vaccinated.

“We are hoping that with the opening up of our pediatric age group, maeengganyo na rin ang mga lolo at lola (senior citizens will also be encouraged), she added.

Today marked the kick-off for the vaccination of the pediatric population aged 12-17 years old and is targeted to be fully implemented nationwide by November 5, targetting to inoculate at least 80% of 12 million kids belonging in the age group by the end of the year.