Vaccination of 5-11 age group set for February

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) is eyeing the inoculation of children aged 5 to 11 years by the first week of February as the agency continues to wait for the arrival of anti-COVID for this age group, an official said yesterday.

“The vaccination of the 5-11 age group could not yet start because we are still waiting for the vaccines,” said DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje in a public briefing, noting that the country’s available vaccines are not formulated to cater to this group.

Cabotaje, who also heads the National Vaccination Operations Center, said the only COVID-19 vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration for those aged 5 to 11 years are from Pfizer.

She assured that all the other sectors have enough vaccines for primary doses and booster shots.

“We have enough vaccines all over the Philippines.  All brands are available,” Cabotaje stressed as she reiterated the calls for everyone to complete their primary doses and get their booster shots.