VACCINE experts have yet to discuss administering booster shots to children aged 12 to 17, an official of the Department of Science and Technology said.

“Hindi pa po natin pinag-uusapan iyan (booster shots for minors). Ang kailangan maintindihan ng lahat ay kailangan ma-ramp up muna ang ating primary series of immunization,” Dr. Nina Gloriani, head of DOST’s Vaccine Expert Panel, said.

Since children naturally have good immune system, Gloriani noted that they do not worry about the “waning immunity” of vaccines among them.

“Tatapusin muna nila ang two doses. Sa mga bata kasi maganda ang immune response nila mas mataas kaysa sa medyo may edad. Hindi po tayo masyadong nagwo-worry sa waning immunity,” she said.

The pediatric vaccination began on October 15 and was expanded nationwide in early November.

So far, the government has vaccinated around 400,000 minors aged 12 to 17.

About .10 percent of the vaccinated adolescents experienced adverse effect. The common complaints were body pain, allergies, and hyperventilation.

The Department of Health aims to vaccinate at least 80 percent of the 12.7 million children before yearend.