DOH prepared for Covid-19 vaccination of children under 5 years old once OK'd

The Department of Health (DOH) expressed readiness in vaccinating individuals aged four and below against Covid-19 once regulatory agencies approved this.
DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said that Covid-19 vaccination among the said age group is still being studied by local experts.
“As long as there is evidence already that can support the use of these Covid-19 vaccines to the younger age group like less than five years old, handa naman tayo (we are ready),” she said on Friday, Dec. 9.
“Kasi tayo naman, dekada na yung binibilang natin sa pagpapatupad ng bakunahan sa kabataan (As for us, we have been implementing vaccination among young people for decades already),” she added.
Regulatory clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) is needed before the government can roll out the Covid-19 vaccination for this younger population, said Vergeire.
“Ito ay makakapagsabi na ligtas, epektibo, at saka makakaprotekta talaga sa kabataan (This can ensure that it is safe, effective, and can really protect the young people), and then...we are willing and we are going to do that,” she said.
“We are prepared to have this vaccination, and we have our healthcare workers who are trained for the longest time on vaccinating children,” she added.
To recall, individuals aged five and above are eligible for Covid-19 vaccination. Those 12 years old and above are allowed to receive the first booster shot. For the second booster shot, only 18 to 49 years old with comorbidities and 50 years old and up are eligible to get it.