THE Department of Health yesterday sought to allay fears that minors could be more vulnerable to COVID-19 than individuals in other age groups.
In a virtual press briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the current increase in COVID-19 cases it not just occurring among children.
“The increasing trend is the same in all age groups. It is not only among children that is increasing, but all age groups,” said Vergeire.
She said the highest increase was observed among the 30-39 years age group during the period July 13 to 25 compared with July 26 to August 8.
The lowest increase, she said, is among those 80 years and older during the same period.
“When we look at the level of vulnerability to COVID-19, we can see that the most vulnerable are still the adult population, the senior citizens, those with comorbidities, and the working age groups,” said Vergeire.
She said the public should be careful in making immediate conclusions based only one event.
Last Saturday, the Philippine General Hospital said many children with COVID-19 are admitted with complicated cases.
“Let us not also conclude because we heard from one hospital that they have these certain patients that are having this kind of COVID-19 cases. We don’t see this same scenario in other hospitals of the country,” she said.
“Let us not alarm the public with such news because parents grow fear upon hearing such information,” she added.
But with children still deemed as vulnerable to COVID-19, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said he is in favor of vaccinating those with comorbidities, as long as the Vaccine Experts Panel (VEP) recommends it.
“I wouldn’t mind if we would already start vaccinating children for as long as we prioritize which among the children,” said Duque in a television interview.
“Those with comorbidities, of course, let us vaccinate them. We can see now that there are reported pediatric patients that have very serious infection,” he added.
On Sunday, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said the government may start vaccinating children and teenagers against COVID-19 by the end of September or October.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director General Eric Domingo said only the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for the use of minors so far.
“Pfizer vaccine has been approved for use among 12 years old and above in the United States, Europe, and here in the country,” said Domingo in a televised public briefing.
“If the 12 to 17 years old are included, then that would be an additional maybe 12 to 14 million,” said the FDA chief.
Domingo also said the application of Sinovac for the inoculation of 3 to 17 years old is still under evaluation by the Vaccine Experts Panel.
