THE FOOD and Drug Administration of the Philippines said that Moderna has applied for an authorization for emergency use of its vaccine for minors.

FDA Director General Eric Domingo said Moderna submitted its EUA to cover those aged 12 years old and above last August 19.

“Nagpadala na rin po sila ng kanilang datos ng clinical trials at ito po ang inaaral ngayon ng ating mga vaccine experts. May mga kaunting katanungan po doon sa developer ng vaccine. Hopefully, within this week or next week makumpleto na ang evaluation nito,” Domingo said.

He added that FDA is “not recommending at this time” the use of China’s Sinovac vaccine for kids aged 3 to 17 because it lacks clinical trials.

“At this time, hindi pa po natin iyan marerekomenda na ma-authorize na magamit po sa mga bata. So, for adults pa rin po,” Domingo said.

“‘Yung kanilang petition na ma-include ‘yung children ay hindi pa po natin gina-grant at this time kasi noong tiningnan ng vaccine experts, medyo maliit yung Phase 1 and Phase 2 trial na kung kasama ‘yung mga bata na 3 years old to 17 years old,” he added.

Last July, Sinovac applied to amend its EUA in the country. Currently, FDA has only given EUA to Pfizer for the use of its vaccine on children aged 12 to 17.