The first batch of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines, intended for vaccination in ages 5 to 11, is expected to arrive next month, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez said Monday.
According to Galvez, of the 20 million doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines purchased by the government for next year, 15 million are reserved for such age group.
The Department of Health has reminded local governments to wait for guidelines regarding vaccination for ages 5 to 11 and the date when it can start.
Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the administration of Pfizer vaccines to such an age group.
The FDA also previously said that the formulation of Pfizer vaccines is different for ages 12 and up, which are currently in supply in the country.
It added Pfizer’s efficacy rate is also high, above 90% in children 5 to 11 years old. At the same time, the adverse events seen in clinical trials are very mild.
As of the last record, 47.1 million have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in the Philippines.
More than 6 million are still missing to reach the government’s target of fully vaccinating the 54 million population before the end of 2021.
COVID-19 vaccines for ages 5-11 coming in January: Galvez
But according to Health Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire, it is possible to reach the target in early 2022.
“As to these 54 million, ang atin pong target ay by the end of the year and to spill over hanggang first quarter of next year,” said Vergeire.
Meanwhile, at least 4,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses were damaged in Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and Central Visayas due to the ravages of Typhoon Odette, Vergeire said.
“For now, we have 4,120 doses that were wasted because of these power outages,” said Vergeire.
“There were also some vaccines that were returned or had been transferred so that we can be able to assess these vaccines if they are still potent, kung puwede pa hong gamitin,” she added.
Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte raised the possibility of making COVID-19 vaccination mandatory as the government intensified its inoculation drive amid the threat of the Omicron variant.
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