THE Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) has approved the administration of Pfizer coronavirus disease (Covid-19) booster doses to adolescents aged 12 to 17, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said on Tuesday, June 21, 2022.Duque said the implementing guidelines for the administration of pediatric booster doses will be released within the day.The National Government started the vaccination of the said age group against Covid-19 in October 2021.Experts earlier said that it is high time for the administration of booster doses to children aged 12 to 17 due to the waning immunity from the vaccine a few months after the inoculation.“Medyo may ilang buwan na rin na nabigay natin yung primary series nila, yung waning immunity plus, of course, may banta pa rin nung mga variants or subvariants of concern natin. And we want also na mag-normalize pati ang mga bata natin, mga anak natin, apo,” Vaccine Expert Panel (VEP) chief Dr. Nina Gloriani said in a television interview on Tuesday, June 21.She also assured the efficacy and safety of booster doses to the younger population, noting it was keenly studied by the experts before the approval.“‘Yung 12 to 17 parang considered na adults, so hindi siya talagang maiiba. Although, medyo may nakita akong part ng hindi pa lumalabas na guidelines na 0.3 mL ang ibibigay. That’s Pfizer. Usually, I think that’s 0.5 [mL], so baka kalahati. Hindi pa ako masyadong sure pa do’n,” she said.With this development, Glorianni said they are also optimistic that the HTAC will approve their recommendation to administer a second booster dose to the general public.At present, only the vulnerable population (senior citizens and persons with comorbidities) allowed to take the second booster dose. (SunStar Philippines)