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Despite new WHO study, PH to retain 3-week interval for kids' COVID vaccine

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Wena Cos, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="A health worker prepares a shot of COVID-19 vaccine during the pediatric vaccination drive at the Manila Zoo on February 7, 2022." src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/life/02/08/20220207-covid19-pediatric-vaccination-manila-jc-21.jpg"/><figcaption>A health worker prepares a shot of COVID-19 vaccine during the pediatric vaccination drive at the Manila Zoo on February 7, 2022.</figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA - The Philippines will continue implementing a 21 day interval between the first and second doses of the reformulated Pfizer vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 years old, despite new data from the World Health Organization saying that the second dose should be administered 4 to 8 weeks after the first. </p><p>&quot;We have to review the data that we have na kapag binigay after 8 weeks ay better ang immune response. Right now it is three weeks at least, or 4 weeks. We may have to get those data to make such recommendation but right now wala pang data sa atin,&quot; Dr. Nina Gloriani, Chairman of the Vaccine Expert Panel said on Wednesday.</p><p>According to WHO, longer interval between doses is &quot;associated with higher vaccine effectiveness and potentially lower risk of myocarditis or pericarditis,&quot; Gloriani mentioned in an online forum by the Department of Health. </p><p>However, status quo will be followed until said study is reviewed by the Vaccine Expert Panel. </p><p>Gloriani said Philippines followed the shorter interval between doses to &quot;balance the effect of omicron.&quot;</p><p>The country recorded an increase in cases attributed to the more infectious omicron variant in January, with peaks surpassing that of the delta surge in 2021. </p><p>The Center for Disease Control and Prevention still recommends a 2-dose series separated by 21 days for the reformulated Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine intended for children aged 5-11 years old. </p><p>Dr. Wilda Silva, DOH National Immunization Campaign Program Manager, added that while myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) were noted after receiving mRNA COVID-19 vaccines such as Pfizer, cases are very rare. </p><p>&quot;Most people with myocarditis after vaccination with simple treatment they can recover. However if you get it from a viral infection, this can be very severe,&quot; Silva warned. </p><p>The risk of getting myocarditis from a COVID-19 infection is 4 to 8 times higher for unvaccinated individuals, according to Silva. </p><p>On the other hand, there is only 1 in 200,000 chance of getting myocarditis after a COVID-19 vaccination.</p><p>She reiterated that most adverse effects following immunization among the 5 to 11 age group are mild and treatable, such as headaches, rashes, and fever. </p><p>&quot;A review of adverse effects, severe adverse effects, and adverse effects of clinical interest suggest no short-term safety concerns,&quot; Silva said. </p><p>There were also no reported cases of myocarditis and pericarditis 3 months after inoculation in the age group thus far. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1926867" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

The country will continue to follow the CDC guideline of 21-day interval between the 2-dose series of the Pfizer vaccine for children aged 5-11 years old until local experts are able to study the benefits of a longer interval between dosages. 

Despite new WHO study, PH to retain 3-week interval for kids' COVID vaccine

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Despite new WHO study, PH to retain 3-week interval for kids' COVID vaccine

Wena Cos,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 16, 2022 01:01 PM PHT

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COVID

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pediatric vaccination

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5-11 years old

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myocarditis

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