WHO studies safety of COVID-19 vaccines for minors below 16-years-old

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 12) — The World Health Organization is currently studying if coronavirus vaccines are safe and effective for minors below 16-years-old, its representative in the Philippines said Tuesday.

“What we have now is a clearance for the use of vaccines in people above 16 years," Dr. Rabindra Abeyasingh said. “As time goes, as global experience increases, it will become clear whether these vaccines can be used for children and whether they are safe and effective.”

Abeyasingh told the Laging Handa briefing that WHO clinical trials did not involve children because of the lower risk of the disease among minors.

“The trials did not involve children because of the lower risk of disease in children, but also because of the critical importance of ensuring the vaccines are safe in the first place among adults before they are tried on children,” he said.

He added that it will take some time before the WHO can gather data in relation to the vaccination of children.

“Once we have that evidence, we can consider the option for vaccinating children. This is a process that is ongoing,” said Abeyasingh.

WHO is closely working with the vaccine manufacturers, the academe, and the research partners, he added.