PH may get COVID-19 vaccines for kids aged below 12 by year-end, FDA says

CNN – Published Nov 23, 2021 3:04:35 PM

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 23) — COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 11 and younger may be available in the Philippines before year-end, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

FDA Director General Eric Domingo said the agency was expecting US manufacturer Pfizer-BioNTech to submit its application for the use of its vaccine for kids “very soon.”

“They already asked for a list of the requirements, and they told us they are completing [them],” Domingo said in a media briefing Tuesday.

“Meron lang kasi yatang difference konti [ro’n] sa formulation ng vaccine for children. So, it’s going to be like a new [emergency use authorization], kasi medyo bagong innovation ‘to sa product,” he added.

[Translation: There’s just a bit of difference in the formulation of vaccines for children. So, it’s going to be like a new EUA since there were innovations to the product.]

Chinese vaccine maker Sinovac, meanwhile, is set to apply for the rollout of its COVID-19 doses for adolescents below 18 years old.

“They just want to complete some more data to give to our vaccine experts,” Domingo said.

So far, only Pfizer and Moderna are authorized for emergency use on minors aged 12 to 17, both with and without comorbidities, in the country.

The government began the pilot run of pediatric inoculations on October 15.

Domingo said he was positive both Pfizer and Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccines will be accessible to minors by the end of 2021.

“I’m pretty sure Pfizer is going to be ready,” he said. “Sinovac also told us their data [was] being collated and will be submitted soon.”

SOURCE: https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/11/23/pediatric-vaccination-kids-end-2021-FDA-COVID-19.html