(PNA file photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.) MANILA - The government is still waiting for the recommendation from government experts before administering Sinovac's coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine for children 6 years old and above, a health official said Tuesday. On March 11, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the emergency use authorization for Sinovac's CoronaVac allowing the Chinese vaccine to be used for pediatric vaccination. In an online media forum, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said all necessary documents were already submitted to the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) which is an independent advisory body created under the Universal Health Care Act. HTAC's mandate is to undertake technology appraisals by determining their clinical and economic values in the Philippine healthcare system, with the aim to improve overall health outcomes and ensure fairness, equity, and sustainability of coverage for all. "In the meanti
(PNA photo by Gil Calinga) MANILA - The country's vaccine experts are working on the implementing guidelines for the administration of Sinovac's Covid-19 vaccine for children six years old and above, a health official said Tuesday. On March 11, the Food and Drug Administration approved the emergency use authorization (EUA) for Sinovac's CoronaVac which allows the Chinese vaccine to be used for pediatric vaccination. "Parang paggamit din natin sa 5 years and above, kailangan titignan natin mabuti kasi ang nasa EUA ng Sinovac ay for healthy individuals, healthy children. So, baka hindi kasama 'yung ating mga (It's like [the administration of vaccine] for 5 years and above, we need to be careful because the EUA for Sinovac states for healthy individuals, healthy children. So, this may not include children) with comorbidities," National Vaccination Operations Center Chief Myrna Cabotaje said in a televised public briefing. Cabotaje noted that the same CoronoVa