Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccine has been granted an emergency use authorization (EUA) amendment of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to administer shots to children aged 6-17 years old, as per the announcement of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Monday, March 14, as reported on Inquirer.
Pharmaceutical consortium IP Biotech Group chairman Enrique Gonzalez, in a statement last Friday, extended his gratitude to the FDA for the approval of the amendment.
“Making this vaccine available to the younger age segment is a game changer in protecting the country’s youth and preserving recent gains in controlling the pandemic. This will also ensure greater access and vaccine equity for the Filipino families,” he said in a statement.
Furthermore, the FDA also said to Inquirer that based on evidence, “it is reasonable to believe” that the Coronavac-Sinovac may be effective to prevent or treat the virus.
Coronavac is efficient in preventing intensive hospitalization for those who have contracted the virus.
To recall, the reformulated pediatric vaccine from Pfizer was welcomed in the country last February 4, serving as the initially allowed brand for the COVID-19 vaccination for the age group of 5-11 years old.