Published on: January 30, 2023

(Update as of 25 January 2023)

On 31 August 2022, the OIC-Secretary of Health (SOH) approved the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC)’s non-recommendation of additional procurement of Moderna for the implementation of the current primary vaccination series for children aged 6 to 11 years old because of its higher cost relative to a similar product in the market.

However, existing supplies of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine can be used for the implementation of the primary vaccination series for children aged 6 to 11 years old as this will not incur any additional cost to the government.

In developing its recommendation for Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the HTAC’s considerations included the following:

  • On 18 August 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) released its updated SAGE recommendation on Moderna as primary series for the pediatric population aged 6 to 11 years old.
  • While it is difficult to determine the real burden in the pediatric population due to limited testing and contact tracing capacity, poor reporting, and other possible issues like less community exposure of children because of reduced mobility, the HTAC deemed that the burden is substantial due to potential adverse health outcomes.
  • Efficacy of 2 doses of 50 mcg of Moderna in children can be inferred from successful immunobridging data to young adults ages 18 to 25 years old.
  • The short-term safety of Moderna is acceptable. However, more data are needed to confirm that this vaccine has long-term safety.
  • Primary series vaccination in children aged 6 to 11 years old using Moderna is considered affordable when compared to prices at which it is available in other countries. It is still more expensive, however, than the other mRNA product in the market.
  • Moderna has the potential to reduce out-of-pocket expenses due to averted costs of isolation and treatment of mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19 cases.
  • On the basis of short-term outcomes, Moderna has most of the characteristics desired by key stakeholders for its use among children aged 6 to 11 years old.

To ensure the success of the implementation of COVID-19 vaccination for children ages 6 to 11 years old, HTAC reiterates the importance of the following measures:

  • Emphasis on free and prior informed consent, supporting the preference of parents, guardians, and the pediatric population towards vaccination
  • Ensuring that information, education, and communication materials are accessible and comprehensible

Details of the evidence considered and findings may be found in this link: Evidence Summary on COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine (Nucleoside Modified) for children 6 to 11 years old
 __________________________________________________________________________________________

To keep updated on HTA news, visit our website: HTA Website

Like and follow our FB page:https://www.facebook.com/htaphilippines

#HTA4UHC

#HTAPhilippines