BACKGROUND: Out of pocket expenses still comprises a major share in health financing. A reactive approach in COVID-19 treatment may be problematic for the patient’s finances. National health insurance systems like PHIC have COVID-related care benefits, but whether these offer sufficient coverage is unknown. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to describe the hospitalization costs incurred by pediatric COVID-19 patients admitted at a Filipino tertiary pediatric hospital, to determine the major cost drivers of hospitalization, and to determine how various payment methods provide coverage in paying for hospitalizations costs. METHODS: Financial statements of pediatric COVID-19 patients were reviewed, from which costs were categorized. Deductions were also compared with total hospitalization to determine adequacy of various financial assistance programs. RESULTS: Fifty-six charts and financial statements were reviewed for a 9-month period. Majority of the patients are of the 1-month to 6-year-old group (39.3%), of critical severity (66.1%), and with comorbidities (76.8%). Aggregated hospitalization costs of all COVID-19 patients amounted to PHP 9.5 million; medical costs accounted for the majority of the hospital costs at 35.40%. Mean total hospitalization cost per patient was determined to be PHP 170,170 and mean daily cost was PHP 16,870. PHIC COVID-19 packages may provide deducted as much as 90.56% of the overall costs, but only 28.6% of patients were able to avail of this privilege. Out-of-pocket expenditure remains at 33% of the total hospitalization cost. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 hospitalization in this institution mainly consists of the 1-month to 6 years old, and the costs in the average can reach up approximately PHP 170,000, as basic medical fees drive the majority of the costs. Patients with no known comorbids tend to have higher costs of care but more data is needed to elaborate on the trend. Availing PHIC packages can greatly ameliorate the financial burden of hospitalization. However, checks in timely and accurate filing of claims should be in place to assure those that can avail this assistance are rightfully supported. RECOMMENDATIONS A larger patient base with equal representation of patient categories is recommended in order to determine more comprehensive cost patterns and make significant associations.

Objectives: The World Health Organization recently revised their recommendations and considered healthy children and adolescents as low priority group for COVID-19 vaccine. This review comprehensively assessed existing clinical evidence on COVID-19 vaccine in 12-17 years old. Methods: Included in this review were any type of study that investigated the efficacy, immunogenicity, safety, and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine on protection against SARS-COV-2 infection in 12-17 years old. Various electronic databases were searched up to March 15, 2023. Studies were screened, data extracted, risk of bias appraised, and certainty of evidence was judged using GRADE. Review Manager 5.4 was used to estimate pooled effects. Difference between the two groups was described as mean difference for continuous variables and as relative risk or odds ratio for categorical variables. Results: There were six randomized controlled trials and 16 effectiveness studies (8 cohorts and 8 case control). Low certainty evidence showed that BNT162b2 (Pfizer) was effective, immunogenic, and safe in healthy adolescents. There were 15 effectiveness studies on BNT162b2 (Pfizer) in healthy adolescent and one on immunocompromised patients. It was protective against infection with any of the variants, with higher protection against Delta than Omicron. BNT162b2 is protective against hospitalization and emergency and urgent care (high certainty); and critical care and MIS-C (low). Very low certainty evidence noted that BNT 162b2 was also immunogenic in 12-21 years old with rheumatic diseases while on immunomodulatory treatment but with possible increased exacerbation of illness. Low certainty evidence demonstrated that mRNA-1273 (Moderna) was effective, immunogenic, and safe. Low to very low certainty evidence were noted on the safety and immunogenicity of two vector base vaccines (ChAdOx1-19 and Ad5 vector COVID vaccine) and two inactivated vaccines (CoronaVac and BBIBP CorV). Conclusion There is presently low certainty evidence on the use of RNA vaccines in 12-17 years old. The recommendation on its use is weak. There is presently insufficient evidence for the use of inactivated and vector-based COVID-19 vaccines. Different countries should consider whether to vaccinate healthy adolescent without comprising the other recommended immunization and health priorities that are crucial for this age group. Other factors including cost-effectiveness of vaccination and disease burden should be accounted.
mRNA Vaccines ; Vaccines, Inactivated