DOH not giving Pfizer vax to 5-11 years old yet

CEBU, Philippines —  Even as Pfizer already has an Emergency Use Authorization for COVID-19 vaccine for 5 to 11 years old, the Department of Health said roll out for the said group is yet to start.

“Preparations are still underway for the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccines for the said group,” as per DOH’s advisory released Monday.

The National COVID-19 Vaccination Operations Center will announce the exact date to start the vaccination for 5 to 11 years old group.

The said age group will be using a different COVID-19 formulation, dose, and syringes.

While waiting for the COVID-19 vaccine to be rolled out for this particular pediatric group, parents are advised to have their children’s routine immunization completed instead.

This is to protect the children from more contagious and fatal diseases.

The health department said these children are not yet given a go to it as it has a different formulation from the other priority groups; instead, parents are encouraged to have their children get the routine vaccines for protection from other vaccine-preventable diseases.

Among the vaccine-preventable diseases include tuberculosis, hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, meningitis, polio, measles, pneumococcal, mumps, and rubella.

The measles-rubella vaccines, as well as the tetanus diphtheria’s recommended dosing schedule, include one dose for 6 to 7 and 12 to 13 years old, respectively. — GMR (FREEMAN)