KIDDIE VAX A guardian inquires about the vaccination program for children age 5 to 11 at Manila Zoo, one of the sites chosen for the jabs. The plan has been postponed from Friday to Monday next week because the Pfizer doses will not arrive on time. 鈥擱ICHARD A. REYES
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� US drugmaker Pfizer has already committed 30 million COVID-19 vaccine doses for children aged five to 11, the Department of Health (DOH) said Saturday.
鈥淢eron po, that鈥檚 why 30 million 鈥�15 million, times two [doses]鈥� Nakacommit na po ito sa atin and mayroon na po tayong pondo at nakapagnegotiate na po tayo,鈥� Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a DZBB interview when asked if there is already commitment from Pfizer for sufficient vaccine doses for the said age group.
(Yes, that鈥檚 why there are 30 million鈥�15 million times two鈥�. This number of doses has been committed to us and we already have funds. We have already negotiated for it.)
Vergeire said the country has around 15 million minors aged five to 11.
The pediatric vaccination for this age group was supposed to start on February 4 but聽 was rescheduled to February 7 due to logistical issues.
Over 780,000 doses of Pfizer鈥檚 COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 arrived in the country on Friday night.
Vergeire said more vaccine doses will come in tranches.