Two pediatric groups in the country still recommend prioritizing the adult population in the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination.

The Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) and the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP) said that the adult population remained as the most vulnerable in relation to COVID-19.

“The adult and more vulnerable age groups should still be prioritized in the vaccination roll-out, with the aim of equitable distribution among different regions of the country,” the PPS and PIDSP said.

Vaccine supply and the vaccination of the priority groups should first be considered before the inoculation for children should start, the groups said.

“Deciding to include the pediatric population in the vaccination roll-out should be done in broader context and should take into consideration vaccine supply and the groups most at risk for severe disease,” they said.

“Once the whole country has a sufficient percentage vaccinated in the priority adult groups, children 12-years-old and above may be considered for vaccination,” they added.

“As such, the vaccine roll-out can be initiated in the high-transmission areas and should prioritize adolescents who are qualified in the A3 (children with comorbidities) and A1 (children of healthcare frontliners) category,” they furthered.