MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health said Monday it was open to the possibility of using the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Sinovac Biotech in children and adolescents.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said local experts will study the use of CoronaVac in younger groups once the Chinese drugmaker submits an amendment to its emergency use authorization.
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“If they have complete evidence, have finished their trial and they submit a revision in their EUA in the country, our experts will study it,” Vergeire said in a briefing.
“If it’s proven safe and if it’s going to protect our children, of course the Philippines will be open to this,” she added.
The EUA granted to the Sinovac jab in February allowed its use for clinically healthy individuals aged 18 to 59 years. In April, the country’s Food and Drug Administration approved the recommendation to expand the use of the vaccine in senior citizens as the country faced a surge in COVID-19 infections.
Last week, China approved the emergency use of CoronaVac in people aged between three and 17.
The World Health Organization recently gave a greenlight to Sinovac's two-dose CoronaVac. The WHO's emergency use listing gives countries assurance that the vaccine has met international standards.
American pharmaceutical firm Pfizer previously applied for an amendment to its EUA to include 12 to 15-years old, the head of the country’s FDA said last month.
Since the country began its inoculation efforts in March, only 1.5 million people have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Meanwhile, over 4.4 million have received their first dose.
The Philippines launched Monday the vaccination of the working population against COVID-19. About 35 million Filipinos belong to the fourth priority group.