The Philippine government was open to study the use of Sinovac vaccine for kids and teens.
The Philippine government was open to study the use of Sinovac Biotech’s CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccine for kids and teens.
After China had approved the emergency use of the said vaccine on children and adolescents, the Department of Health (DOH) said that it was open to review the possibility of following suit.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a media briefing that the Philippines may also carry out similar guidelines if the said vaccine was found effective and safe for people aged 3 to 17.
“Kapag nabuo na nila ang kanilang ebidensya, nakumpleto nila ang trial at nagsumite sila dito sa Pilipinas ng revision ng kanilang EUA, pag-aaralan yan ng ating mga eksperto. Kung mapatunayan natin na ito ay magiging ligtas and it’s going to protect our children, of course the Philippines will be open to this,” Vergeire said.
Previously, Pfizer applied for an amendment to its emergency use authorization (EUA) to include children 12 to 15 years old.
READ ALSO: China OKs Emergency Use Of Sinovac Vaccine For 3 To 17-Year-Olds
Meanwhile, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said that at least 60 million COVID-19 vaccine doses were needed in order to vaccinate the pediatric age group.
Galvez said in a separate briefing that they have ongoing negotiations with companies to increase their purchase from 158 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to 202 million COVID-19 vaccine doses — including COVID-19 vaccine doses from COVAX.
“Ang implication niyan, we need to buy more vaccine, more or less 60 million. Ang ginawa po natin, ngayon ongoing po ang ating mga negotiations sa ating pharmaceutical companies at vaccine companies para at least maka-increase tayo from original 158 million to 202 million [doses] kasama na po ang COVAX,” Galvez said.
So far, the Philippines had received 9.3 million COVID-19 vaccine doses — including 6.5 million Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine doses.
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