About 24.6 million children aged 5 to 11 years old have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 since the pediatric vaccination started on February 7.

In a text message to reporters, the Department of Health (DOH) said the figure is 17 percent of the target population for the age group as of May 17.

Earlier, National Vaccinations Operations Center chief Myrna Cabotaje said the DOH is coordinating with the Department of Education and local government units to facilitate school-based Covid-19 vaccination in both public and private schools.

The National Task Force Against Covid-19, in a resolution dated May 12, urged public and private schools for basic education to carry out Covid-19 vaccination.

The vaccine expert panel is waiting for Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers to apply with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) an emergency use authorization (EUA) allowing their jabs to be used as booster shots for young children.

The United States FDA authorized Tuesday the use of Pfizer Covid-19 booster dose for children ages 5 to 11 years old. (PNA)