THE GOVERNMENT will not vaccinate children against Covid19 because more studies are needed, the Department of Health said.

“Kinakailangan ng mas masusing pag-aaral ng safety ng mga bakuna lalo na sa mga batang immunocompromised. Dito po ang sabi ng ating mga eksperto, we can consider giving vaccination to children who might be having comorbidities,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.

With the limited supply of vaccines, Duque said that his department recommended the inoculation of those 18 years old and above.

“Batid natin ang kakulangan ng pandaigdigang supply ng mga bakuna. At kahit pa simulan natin ang pagbabakuna ay hindi rin po sasapat sa kanila ang supply na mayroon ang bansa sa kasalukuyan,” he said.

“At alam din natin na limitado lang ang bakunang pwedeng iturok sa mga bata at ito po ‘yung Pfizer na inaprubahan ng FDA na puwede na pong bakunahan ang 12 to 17 years old,” he added.

Duque said the DoH backs proposals to include minors in the vaccination program, especially those with comorbidities.

“Those with comorbidities, of course let’s vaccinate them. Because we see now that UP has reported I think six pediatric patients seen to have very serious Covid19 infection and this is attended by the fact that there’s also comorbidities in two of these six reported pediatric patients,” he added.