COVID vaccination for 5 to 11 years old begins in Metro Manila on February 1
Over 700,000 doses of “pediatric” Pfizer coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines are set to arrive on Jan. 31, the National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19 special adviser Dr. Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa said on Tuesday, Jan. 25.

The delivery of the vaccines is in time for the "mini rollout" of the COVID-19 vaccination among children aged five to 11 years old on Feb. 1, 2022.
“Maguumpisa tayo sa National Capital Region (NCR) starting Feb. 1. Dadating nitong Jan. 31 ang unang delivery ng 15 million doses na ating inorder. Ang unang parating sa Jan. 31 ay 780,000 doses of pediatric Pfizer (We will start in the NCR by Feb. 1. The first delivery of the 15 million doses that we’ve ordered will arrive on Jan. 31. 780,000 doses of pediatric Pfizer will arrive on Jan. 31),” said Herbosa during the “Laging Handa” public briefing.
According to Herbosa, “pediatric Pfizer” contains a lesser dose of vaccine which is perfect for children.
“Yung para sa bata. Ibang dose ito – mas mababa two doses din ang ibibigay sa ating mga bata (It’s for the children. This has a lesser dose but two doses will still be given to the children),” said Herbosa.
Meanwhile, Herbosa assured the public that the vaccines were proven effective and safe for children aged five to 11.
“Ang ating mga espesyalista sa bata – ‘yung Philippine Pediatric Society ay naglabas na rin ng statement na safe po ang ating bakuna para sa age group ng five to 11 (Our pediatric specialists – the Philippine Pediatric Society has also issued a statement that our vaccine is safe for the age group of five to 11),” he added.
The initial launch of the pediatric COVID-19 vaccination among five to 11 years old is scheduled on Feb. 1 in Metro Manila, but Herbosa said that the national government aims to launch the program nationwide by mid-February with the expected arrival of vaccines.