No go signal yet to inoculate children, DOH says

CEBU, Philippines —  The Department of Health (DOH) has not yet given a go signal to vaccinate children between 12 to 17 years old against COVID-19, said DOH spokesperson, Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.

In line with this, the private sector that has acquired the vaccine through a tripartite agreement must follow guidelines promulgated by the national government.

“Sa ngayon po, wala pa po tayong rekomendasyon para sa pag-umpisa sa mga pagbabakuna sa mga kabataan kaya dapat po, yung mga private sector under tripartite agreement ay sumusunod po doon sa mga pamantayan at guidelines ng national government,” Vergeire said.

She said, however, that DOH favors inoculating children when there is enough evidence to support the move and when it can be assured that there will be enough vaccine supply for other vulnerable populations.

 “Kami po ay pabor... kung saka-sakaling ma-kukumpleto yung ebidensya at sakaling may kasiguraduhan na meron talagang bakuna na maitatabi na hindi natin ma-disenfranchise or mawawalan yung ibang mga vulnerable population sa ating bansa,” Vergeire said.

“Sa ngayon ho, wala pa po tayong naibibigay na we recommend children to get vaccinated... meron pa po tayong hinihintay na kundisyon na kailangang maisaayos muna… bago ma-umpisahan ang pagbabakuna sa mga kabataan… at ito po ay nai-relay na natin sa vaccine cluster po headed by Sec. Galvez and Usec. Myrna Cabotaje,” she added.

As far as rules are concerned, she said that the private sector must align with national government guidelines as this is a condition in the tripartite agreement.

“Kailangan nating tandaan, even private sector ang nag-procure, they all went through a tripartite agreement with the national government and isa po doon sa kundisyon doon sa tripartite agreement na yun ay yoong nag-procure from the private should abide and should align with the national government guidelines,” Vergeire said.

Earlier, the country’s vaccine czar, Sec. Carlito Galvez, recommended the inoculation of children between 12 to 17 years old in mid-October with the expected steady supply of vaccines.

Galvez said children with comorbidities and children of health care workers are eyed to be the priority.

So far, the Food and Drugs Administration has approved an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Pfizer and Moderna for those in the 12-17 age group.

While awaiting a go signal from the national government, local government units have already started listing the names of children eligible for their vaccine. – JMO (FREEMAN)