March 28, 2024

The Philippine government has enough funds for the inoculation of children aged 5 to 11 against COVID-19, the Department of Health (DOH) said Thursday.

In a statement, the DOF said the first batch of the vaccines, medically approved for the said age group is expected to be delivered on February 3.

The government’s vaccination program for children aged 5 to 11 against COVID-19 is expected to start on Friday, February 4.

The DOF said it has already signed agreements for an additional $800 million in financing for COVID-19 boosters along with vaccine doses for the pediatric population, including minors below 12 years old.

Finance Undersecretary Mark Dennis Joven said this additional loan amount would “augment the current funding for pediatric vaccines and would enable the delivery of  30 million doses of Pfizer doses for the 5-11 age group.”

Only the United States-based Pfizer Inc. currently manufactures the vaccine against the coronavirus disease found suitable for children.

“For children basically, we need to use new formulation and only one brand provides this new formulation, it’s Pfizer.  So from the previous loan, we’ve taken around 15 million doses for this Pfizer new formulation. And from the new loan, we’re taking around 15 million doses, again, new formulation, which is Pfizer. So that gives us 30 million doses of Pfizer new formulation for those below 12 years old,” said Joven, who heads the DOF’s International Finance Group (IFG).

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