PH plans to immunize 5 to 11-year-old kids against COVID-19 by mid-January

According to national vaccine czar Carlito Galvez on Tuesday, January 4, the Philippines is planning to administer COVID-19 shots to children aged 5 to 11 by mid-January. 

Galvez informed that the country has successfully secured 15 million doses of the smaller and less concentrated Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines. He said the jabs are expected to be delivered to the country in tranches until March, with about 6 million arriving as early as this month.

He said that the first delivery of Pfizer jabs intended for 5 to 11-year-old children will be in January, as they have negotiated.

Additionally, Galvez said he has asked UNICEF and COVAX if it is possible for them to spare additional jabs, particularly for younger children to be donated to the Philippines.

The government is eyeing to vaccinate 14.7 million individuals who are part of the said age group. 

Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the government approval to inoculate younger children last week, the government still doesn't allow COVID-19 vaccination on the younger age group as it requires a specific dose with a less concentrated dosage compared to those administered to adults.

Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is the first brand to be authorized in the Philippines for minors and younger children. In its previous studies, Pfizer said its COVID-19 jabs developed a ‘robust’ antibody response in children aged 5 to 11.