Webinar #72 | “COVID-19 Vaccines for Children: Ating Alamin”
The University of the Philippines
in partnership with UP Manila NIH National Telehealth Center
and in cooperation with UP Philippine General Hospital
would like to invite you to join the Fight Against COVID-19!
Webinar #72 “COVID-19 Vaccines for Children: Ating Alamin”
October 1, 2021 (Friday) 12nn
Presenters:
Dr. Ma. Liza Antoinette Gonzales
Member, National Adverse Event Following Immunization Committee (NAEFIC)
Consultant, Infectious and Tropical Disease Section
UP-PGH Dept. of Pediatrics
Associate Dean for Faculty and Students
College of Medicine, UP Manila
Dr. Maria Consorcia Quizon
Member, Interim National Immunization Technical Advisory Group
Executive Director, South Asia Field Epidemiology and Technology Network (SAFETYNET)
Reactors:
Dr. Benito P. Atienza
President, Philippine Medical Association
Dr. Jennifer Liquido
Pediatrician, Delaware
Opening Remarks:
Dr. Efren Balanag
President, Northern Luzon Chapter
Philippine Pediatric Society
Closing Remarks:
Dr. Carmencita D. Padilla
Chancellor
University of the Philippines Manila
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Webinar #72 “COVID-19 Vaccine for Children: Ating Alamin”
Special Topic
Vaccines are life-saving for children. Polio, measles-mumps-rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, tuberculosis and hepatitis B, influenza are among the different diseases that vaccines have been very effective in preventing unnecessary deaths among children. How about COVID-19? Can the current vaccines used for adults help save children’s lives as well? Is COVID-19 a major threat to our children? Are more children developing moderate and severe COVID-19?
WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) has concluded that the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is suitable for use by people aged 12 years and above. Children aged between 12 and 15 who are at high risk may be offered this vaccine alongside other priority groups for vaccination.
Last month, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved COMIRNATY (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) made by Pfizer/BionTech approved for use in children ages 12-15 under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). Two doses are recommended three weeks apart and a third dose for children who are immunocompromised.
Should we start vaccinating children? Have we met our targets for adults who are at high risk? Do we have enough vaccines to start vaccinating children from 12-15 years of age?
As children and adolescents tend to have milder disease compared to adults (unless they have co-morbidities) is vaccination in this age group less urgent than vaccination of older persons with high risk?
The science on vaccination in children for COVID-19 is evolving as we speak. There is a need for more evidence on the use of different COVID-19 vaccines in children to start a program for this especially in countries like the Philippines where the vaccine supply is still limited.
In this episode of Stop COVID Deaths, we will hear about the latest scientific evidence on the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines for children from Dr. Ma. Liza Antoinette “Chet” Gonzales, a specialist in pediatric infections from the Philippine General Hospital; the epidemiology of COVID-19 and children from Dr. Maria Consorcia “Conky” Dizon- member of the Interim National Immunization Team; while Reactors will be Dr. Benito Atienza, President of the Philippine Medical Association; and Dr. Jennifer Liquido, a pediatrician from Delaware who will share the experience in the United States.
Be part of the growing credible-on-line community dedicated to enlightening our frontliners through in-depth discussions based on evidence and experience. See you on October 1, Friday from 12NN to 2 PM.
Stay Safe. Stay Healthy. Stay Connected!
Together we can STOP COVID DEATHS!
