Children aged 7 to 14 years old are now allowed to receive the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine for their primary series, the Department of Health (DOH) announced on Tuesday, Oct 18.

During a press conference, DOH officer-in-charge (OIC) Maria Rosario Vergeire said Sinovac could now be administered to the said age group as an alternative for mRNA vaccines.

She said this was first recommended by the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC).

“Ang mga tagubilin hinggil sa pag-apruba nito ay na-issue na natin kahapon through a Department memorandum at maari na po itong umpisahan ang implementasyon,” Vergeire said.

[The instruction on this approval was issued yesterday through a Department memorandum and the implementation may now begin.]

As of Oct. 16, the health department's data showed that more than 73.3 million Filipinos have completed their vaccination against COVID-19.

Of which, 70.7 million received their first dose, while 20.3 million received their booster dose.