Manila The Philippines will vaccinate young children against Covid-19 starting this week, the government said Monday, as authorities further eased restrictions related to the pandemic. Children between 5 and 11 years of age can start receiving Covid-19 jabs on Friday, presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said. "This is an important step in preparation for the resumption of face-to-face classes,” Nograles added."The doses for minors have been reformulated so that they are appropriate for them,” he said. There are an estimated 13.5 million children aged between 5 and 11 in the country, according to the health department. In October, the government started inoculating children aged 12 to 17, and so far about 59 per cent or 7.5 million of them have been vaccinated. (DPA)