Home Blog Page 2897

Philippine merchandise trade performance

The Philippines’ trade deficit further shrank in July as exports and imports continued to decline, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed. Read the full story.

Philippine merchandise trade performance

Basketball World Cup remains in Asia for third session in row

OUTGOING FIBA President Hamane Niang (fourth from left), with no less than Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan (third from left), handed the golden FIBA ball to the Qatar Basketball Federation at the sidelines of the World Cup finale over the weekend at the Mall of Asia Arena. — FIBA.BASKETBALL

As Qatar formally received the hosting ball from the Philippines

THE BIGGEST basketball event in the world will stay in the Asian continent.

For the third straight edition, Asia will host the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2027 as Qatar formally received the hosting ball from the Philippines, which co-hosted this year’s Cup with neighbors Japan and Indonesia.

Outgoing FIBA President Hamane Niang, with no less than Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, handed the golden FIBA ball to the Qatar Basketball Federation at the sidelines of the World Cup finale over the weekend at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Mr. Pangilinan, also the chair of the Philippine Local Organizing Committee, first passed the ball to Mr. Niang before handing it over to Mohammed Saad Al Meghaiseeb, president of Qatar Basketball Federation, and Sheikha Asma Al Thani, director of marketing and communications for the Qatar Olympic Committee.

“We are very proud to receive the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 as the next hosts of this fantastic event. Hosting such a huge event for one of the most popular sports in the world is a huge honor for Qatar,” said Mr. Al Almoghaiseb.

“We are grateful to our colleagues in FIBA and the Philippines for giving us the opportunity to see closely the organizational delivery of the World Cup.”

The turnover ceremony from the Philippines to Qatar served as the fitting finale to a memorable World Cup that started with the FIBA congress, where FIBA Asia Chief Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani was elected as the new world basketball president to succeed Mr. Niang from Mali.

He was also the former president of Qatar federation and vice president of the Qatar Olympic Committee. Qatar prior to the FIBA World Cup came off a successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup last year.

In Qatar, leading Philippine mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), has renewed its Global Partnership with the world basketball federation until the 2027 World Cup.

It’s a new four-year partnership between FIBA and Smart following an excellent team-up in bringing the 2023 World Cup closer to basketball fans around the world marked by the construction of the Mall of Asia Ball as “one of the most breathtaking and monumental basketball tributes ever seen at a FIBA event.”

SBP President Al Panlilio, for his part, beamed with honor and pride as the Philippines hosted the World Cup in flying colors for the second time around since 1978.

“I’m extremely proud of all the LOC [Local Organizing Committee] staff and volunteers. And (feel) extreme joy for the coming together of the FIBA community to make this World Cup a memorable one,” said Mr. Panlilio as the Philippines set a new World Cup gate-attendance record.

“But there’s also a feeling of extreme bittersweetness as it comes to an end, yet overshadowed by extreme hopefulness for the 2027 World Cup in Qatar.”

Home team Gilas Pilipinas finished 24th in the 32-team World Cup to earn a ticket in the Paris Olympic Qualifying Tournament in front of huge crowds, highlighted by 38,115 fans during the opener against the Dominican Republic at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. — John Bryan Ulanday

Abueva energizes Gilas Pilipinas training sessions

FIBA.BASKETBALL

CALVIN Abueva dislocated his right thumb during scrimmage, popped it back and finished the second day of Gilas Pilipinas’ training sessions for the Asian Games.

This typifies the commitment and infectious energy Mr. Abueva and the other newly-arrived reinforcements are generating in the Gilas camp.

“I really like our energy,” Gilas coach Tim Cone said after the two-hour practice at the PhilSports Arena.

Mr. Cone enlisted Mr. Abueva, Terrence Romeo, Jason Perkins, Mo Tautuaa and Stanley Pringle to join forces with FIBA World Cup holdovers June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson and RR Pogoy, WC pool members Calvin Oftana and Chris Newsome and naturalized players Justin Brownlee and Ange Kouame.

“The players who played in the World Cup, they’re exhausted. So it’s really hard to bring the energy to the Asian Games. However, guys like Perk (Perkins) and Calvin (Abueva) and even Messrs. Oftana and Newsome who didn’t play, they’re really excited to be on the team and they have great energy. And the energy they have is infecting everybody,” said Mr. Cone.

Mr. Pogoy, who is dealing with an undisclosed medical issue, missed practice for the second straight day and underwent tests.

“He’s day-to-day. I hope we can get him tomorrow. We’ll see. We’re seeking doctor’s permission. It’s not an injury, it’s a medical issue and as soon as he’s over it, he’ll join us in practice,” said Mr. Cone of the TNT sniper.

Gilas returnee Mr. Abueva’s intensity was in full display when he went up for the offensive rebound in between Messrs. Kouame and Fajardo. Mr. Abueva related that the ball slipped and slammed into his thumb as he tapped it.

Meanwhile, Mr. Brownlee is looking forward to facing Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, the import who helped TNT dethrone Ginebra in the PBA Governors’ Cup, in the Asiad. Mr. Hollis-Jefferson is suiting up for Jordan, Gilas’ group opponent.

“It’s going to be great. He’s an incredible player. I was just telling one of the guys I don’t know why he’s not in the NBA. With his talent, skillset, he definitely should be in the NBA,” said Mr. Brownlee.

“It’s an honor to play against a guy like him. It’s going to be tough so we have to be prepared. Him and Jordan, they played fairly well, they had some tough games in the World Cup.” — Olmin Leyba

Kampeon Cup football kicks off Sept. 22 in Talisay City, Cebu

(L-R) Former Philippine national team player and 7s Football Philippines founder Anton del Rosario with AIA Philippines Head of Branding and Communications Bernadette Chincuanco and AIA 7s Executive Director Ethan Lee.

IT’S all systems go for the third season of the AIA Vitality Kampeon Cup featuring eight teams from across the archipelago at the Dynamic Herb Complex in Talisay City, Cebu on Sept. 22 to 24.

Back-to-back champion Cebu, as expected, looms as the heavy favorite in a hat trick bid in front of its home fans as runner-up Bonifacio Global City is out to exact sweet vengeance on the road.

Bacolod, Iloilo, Davao, Palawan, Pampanga, and Zamboanga are also out to give the fancied squads a run for their own money in the largest staging of the seven-a-side football league thus far.

“This will be the biggest showing yet in terms of participation in the AIA Vitality Kampeon Cup,” said AIA 7s Executive Director Ethan Lee.

“With every tournament we play, the league grows even more. I cannot think of a great way to cap off this 2023 with an eight-team field competing for the title of the fastest growing sport and biggest football tournament in the country.”

All eight cities will slug it out in the elimination round on Sept. 22 and 23 before the semifinals on the second day. On Sept. 24, only two teams will be left standing for the Kampeon Cup finals which will also have youth games as front act.

The third Kampeon Cup is only one of the local tournaments backed by the AIA 7s Football after the inaugural AIA Vitality Women’s Kampeon Cup, the first BPI AIA Asia 7s Football tournament, and the Soccer Tournament $1 Million Winner-Take-All in a bid to champion growth of Pinoy football.

“Football is really special to us. It’s our way of helping Filipinos maintain a healthy lifestyle. What’s special about Kampeon is spreading football across the Philippines and I’m sure the contribution of the 7s League is felt. We’re glad to be a partner in this,” added AIA Philippines Head of Branding and Communications Bernadette Chincuanco.

Former national team player Anton del Rosario, who founded 7s Football Philippines, said that Philippine football through the Kampeon Cup has come this far but the game is just getting started.

“Thank you for allowing us to help grow football in the country. This is part of our goal to provide a pathway for the future of Philippine football and the best way to do it is through our passion for the sport,” he said, mentioning that over 700 teams are now participating in different local 7s football tournaments.

“It’s a great time to be involved in football.” — John Bryan Ulanday

Juve’s Pogba provisionally suspended after testing positive for testosterone

JUVENTUS’ France midfielder Paul Pogba has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned substance, Italy’s national anti-doping (NADO Italia) tribunal said on Monday.

The test, performed after Juve’s 3-0 Serie A season-opening victory at Udinese on Aug. 20, detected testosterone, a hormone that increases athletes’ endurance.

“In acceptance of the instance proposed by the National Anti-doping Prosecutor, it has provided for the provisional suspension of the athlete Paul Labile Pogba,” NADO Italia said in a statement.

The tribunal said Pogba had violated anti-doping rules when they found the prohibited substance “non-endogenous testosterone metabolites,” adding that the results were “consistent with the exogenous origin of the target compounds.”

The 30-year-old Mr. Pogba was an unused substitute in the win at Udinese. Juventus said they had been informed of the provisional suspension and were evaluating the next steps.

If found guilty of doping, Mr. Pogba could be suspended for between two and four years. He will now await the results of the B Sample test.

“We are waiting for the results of the counter-analysis and cannot say anything until then,” Mr. Pogba’s agent Rafaela Pimenta said in a statement reported by Italian media.

“The only certain thing is that Paul Pogba never intended to break the rules.”

TORRID SPELL
Mr. Pogba has had a torrid second spell with Juve due to injuries since he returned to the Turin-based club following his departure from Manchester United on a free transfer last year.

The 2018 World Cup winner barely played last season due to knee and hamstring injuries as well as knee surgery which prevented him playing for France at the World Cup in Qatar.

Mr. Pogba has yet to start a game this season but has made two substitute appearances, last playing in the 2-0 win at Empoli.

Mr. Pogba’s contract with Juve expires in June 2026.

Apart from injury troubles, Pogba said last year he was the target of extortion attempts and threats from an organised gang, with his brother Mathias placed under formal investigation.

Paul told the Paris prosecution office that he had been the target of extortion by childhood friends since March 2022 and had paid €100,000 ($107,450) to that group in the spring.

Mathias was taken into custody in September last year and released in December. The 33-year-old, who has also played professionally, denied the allegations against him.

In an interview with Al Jazeera published on Monday, Paul said he had considered retiring from the sport having been worn down by the alleged extortion attempts and threats.

“Sometimes I was just by myself thinking, ‘I don’t want to have money anymore. I just don’t want to play anymore. I just want to be with normal people, so they will love me for me — not for the fame, not for the money,’” he said. — Reuters

Djokovic will dominate tennis for years, says Murray

MANCHESTER, England — Novak Djokovic, who won his 24th Grand Slam title on Sunday, will dominate men’s tennis for years because younger players have yet to reach his level, according to Andy Murray.

Mr. Djokovic’s latest triumph at the US Open saw him equal Margaret Court’s record of major singles titles.

“It’s up to the young guys to be pushing Novak and looking to overtake him. It doesn’t look like that’s close to happening,” Mr. Murray told the BBC on Monday.

“He proved that he’s the best player in the world again yesterday and like I said it’s up to the youngsters to improve enough to take him.”

The 36-year-old Serbian, one of the ‘Big Three’ with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer who dominated men’s tennis for the past two decades, said he had no plans to retire.

“Novak’s longevity has been the greatest. He’s played at this level for such a long time now,” said Britain’s Mr. Murray, who won three Grand Slams.

In July, 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz ended Mr. Djokovic’s Wimbledon reign after the Serbian had won four titles in a row at the All England Club. However, Mr. Murray believes the wrong conclusions were drawn from the Spaniard’s victory.

“I said that after Wimbledon, everyone was saying it was a changing of the guard, but it wasn’t for me,” he added.

“Physically, motivation, whether someone like Alcaraz improves — he’s an amazing player Alcaraz, he’s brilliant, but to do what Novak is doing on a consistent basis is different.”

World number one Mr. Djokovic will next travel to Valencia and join the Serbia team for their Davis Cup Finals group stage ties with South Korea, Spain and Czech Republic. — Reuters

Portugal chalk up record win with 9-0 thrashing of Luxembourg

PORTUGAL enjoyed their biggest-ever win as they thumped Luxembourg 9-0 at Estadio Algarve on Monday to preserve their perfect record in Euro 2024 qualifying.

Substitute Joao Felix secured the record victory with a goal two minutes from time after Goncalo Inacio, Goncalo Ramos, and Diogo Jota all scored twice. Ricardo Horta and Bruno Fernandes, who had three assists, were also on the scoresheet.

Portugal’s previous record was 8-0, which they achieved three times — twice against Liechtenstein (1994 and 1999) and once versus Kuwait (2003).

Portugal have won all six of their Group J matches under Roberto Martinez, who took over in January, scoring 24 goals with none conceded. They are five points clear of Slovakia.

The result matched the biggest-ever loss for Luxembourg, who have 10 points and are third, three points behind Slovakia. — Reuters

NBA poised to curb teams resting star players

THE NBA Board of Governors is set to vote on a new policy this week that would prevent teams from resting more than one star player per game, The Athletic reported Monday.

A “star” player is defined as someone who made an All-Star team or All-NBA team in the past three seasons, per the report.

The policy is a culmination of talks over the past couple of years about cutting down on teams using “load management” to the detriment of fans and the audiences for national TV games, per the report.

For example, the Los Angeles Clippers wouldn’t be able to rest Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in the same game, if the new policy is moved along and eventually passed.

The NBA has cut down on scheduling back-to-backs in different cities, increasing instances of playing consecutive road games against the same opponent. — Reuters

First among equals

TWO years ago, Novak Djokovic was on the precipice of greatness in Flushing Meadows, New York. As he surveyed the scene along with some 24,000 fans on hand at the Arthur Ashe Stadium prior to contesting the first point of the United States Open men’s singles final, he figured he had a better than even chance of meeting his date with fate. All he needed to do was beat fellow finalist Daniil Medvedev to become just the second man after Rod Laver in 1969 to claim an open-era calendar year Grand Slam. In collecting the previous three major titles, the world had been his oyster; he simply had to reaffirm it.

As things turned out, even the well-prepared and extremely experienced Djokovic was overwhelmed by the moment. Ultimately, he failed to withstand the intense scrutiny throughout the fortnight — and, of course, the intervening six weeks since his Wimbledon triumph. When the battlesmoke cleared, he was severely disappointed; Medvedev took only two hours and 16 minutes to defeat him in straight sets. That he also happened to be relieved underscored the enormous weight of the expectations he carried.

The other day, Djokovic was again on the cusp of rewriting history. Having finished a bridesmaid at the All-England Club, he could no longer go after a calendar year grand slam. Still, at stake was the chance to become the lone player in the sport’s annals to win 24 major championships. (Sorry, but the controversial Margaret Court’s numbers don’t count for a variety of reasons.) And there was extra motivation, to be sure; once again, he was at Flushing Meadows, and, once again, Medvedev was on the other side of the net. Under the circumstances, it was but fair for all and sundry to ask him: How would he fare this time around?

Considering the significance of the task at hand, it was, perhaps, only proper that Djokovic would take the same number of sets against the same opponent in the same venue to provide the answer. Not that he didn’t feel any pressure; among other things, he had to battle fatigue (not to mention an inspired Medvedev) midway through the set-to. In stark contrast to his flameout two years ago, however, he did well to stay in sync and focused on the outcome he desired. From the get-go, he picked his spots, dictated rallies, and constructed points to his liking as only he could. And, when the final point was decided in his favor, he celebrated his singular accomplishment with an air of acceptance.

Indeed, Djokovic was, well, inevitable. And, notably, there is little reason to argue that he cannot continue to be. Even at 36 and with such notables as Carlos Alcaraz angling for a changing of the guard, he stands alone at the top. The other members of the tennis elite over the last two decades have come and gone: Roger Federer long retired, Rafael Nadal recovering from injury merely for one last go-round, Andy Murray already one foot out the door. Through all the upheaval, he remains first among equals.

It’s anybody’s guess how long Djokovic can stay primed and motivated to fend off challengers to the throne. He’s certainly close to his end; Father Time is perennially undefeated. Until then, though, he plans to keep carving his name along the way, with landmarks — and vanquished foes by the wayside — standing as testaments to his preeminence. He has pledged to enjoy the adventure while it lasts. Everybody else should, too.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

N.Korea ammunition could offer Russia flawed but useful support

Military personnel take part in a parade to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Revolutionary Army in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this undated photo released by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency on April 26, 2022. — KCNA VIA REUTERS

SEOUL — If North Korea provides artillery rounds and other weapons to Russia for the war in Ukraine, it could help Kremlin forces stretch their dwindling stocks of ammunition but would be unlikely to change the course of the conflict, military analysts say.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in Russia on Tuesday for meetings with President Vladimir Putin, where US officials say they expect both sides to pursue an arms deal.

North Korea is believed to have a large stockpile of artillery shells and rockets that would be compatible with Soviet-era weapons, as well as a history of producing such ammunition.

The size of these stores and its degradation over time is less clear, as is the scale of ongoing production, but these stockpiles could help replenish those severely depleted in Ukraine, said Joseph Dempsey, a defense researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

“While access to such stocks may prolong the conflict, it is unlikely going to change the outcome,” he added.

Both Ukraine and Russia have expended massive numbers of shells and have looked to allies and partners around the world to refill their ammunition stockpiles.

Russia fired 10-11 million rounds last year in Ukraine, a Western official estimated on Friday.

Among the ammunition that the US has provided Ukraine are shells with advanced capabilities, such as the Excalibur, which uses GPS guidance and steering fins to hit targets as small as 3 meters (10 feet) from up to 40km (25 miles) away.

North Korea’s offering is likely to be less high-tech but accessing those stocks would likely significantly increase Russia’s capabilities in the short term, while North Korean production lines would help in the longer term, said Siemon Wezeman, of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

“Almost none of the ammunition is in any way ‘advanced’ — it would feed the traditional Russian barrage type use of artillery but not provide Russia with any precision ammunition,” he said.

To have minimal stocks for all their artillery in 100mm-152mm caliber would mean North Korea would have at least millions of shells stockpiled, Mr. Wezeman said, and just to replenish any ammunition fired in exercises or demonstrations will need some serious production capacities.

The White House has said Russia wants to buy “literally millions” of artillery shells and rockets from North Korea.

Massed artillery fire has played a key role since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which it calls a “special military operation. Some analysts call artillery the “king of battle” despite the focus on flashier, high-tech weapons.

“Used correctly, artillery can shatter the will and cohesion of the enemy, offering significant opportunity to seize both ground and the initiative,” Patrick Hinton, a British Army fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, said in a recent report.

However, it is more complicated than simply throwing shells at the enemy, and Russian artillery barrages have repeatedly failed to dislodge entrenched Ukrainians, he wrote.

Hinton told Reuters the question of quality in North Korean artillery shells could have an impact if flaws fall outside accepted tolerances.

“Poorly made ammunition will have inconsistent performance  — behaviors in flight may be affected which will reduce accuracy; poor quality fuses may lead to premature function; shelf life may be reduced if the content is poorly made,” he said. “These all need to be made to a high specification otherwise they may not land where they are expected to which can have catastrophic consequences.”

The performance of North Korea’s artillery and crews has been suspect since the North Korean army fired around 170 shells at the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong in 2010, killing four people.

According to a report by the Washington-based 38 North project, more than half those rounds fell in the waters around the island, while about 20% of those that impacted the island failed to explode.

Such a high failure rate suggested some North Korea-manufactured artillery munitions suffered from either poor quality control during manufacture or poor storage conditions and standards, the report said.

With very large numbers of ammunition, the lack of precision and the occasional dud shells or rockets wouldn’t matter much to the Russians, Mr. Wezeman said.

“However, it would matter if Korean ammunition is of such poor quality that it is just unsafe to use for Russian soldiers — there have been indications that such quality issues play with Korean ammunition,” he added. — Reuters

Taiwan defense ministry says China bolsters air power along coastline facing island

REUTERS

TAIPEI — China is bolstering its air power along the coast facing Taiwan with a permanent deployment of new fighters and drones at expanded air bases, Taiwan’s defense ministry said on Tuesday in its annual report.

China, which claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has ramped up its military activities near the island in recent years in response to what Beijing calls “collusion” between Taiwan and the United States and to prevent Taiwan independence.

China staged war games around Taiwan in August of last year and again in April, and its forces operate around the island almost daily.

In its National Defense Report, the ministry said China uses “realistic combat training and exercises to strengthen its preparedness against Taiwan.”

“The Chinese communists have been completing the expansion of airfields along the coastline of its eastern and southern theatre commands, realigning new fighters and drones to be permanently stationed there,” it said.

China’s frequent drills to Taiwan’s north and south and into the Pacific show its efforts to “intimidate” Taiwan from both its east and west, the ministry added.

China’s defense ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Taiwan, whose forces are dwarfed by those of China’s, has been pursuing a strategy of asymmetric defense by improving its long-range, precision, unmanned, manoeuvrable and artificial intelligence capabilities. 

The ministry said that in the event there were clear signs of a Chinese invasion they could “preemptively strike its mobilizing invasion forces” with precision weapons.

China’s economic slowdown could increase the risk of Beijing taking military action toward Taiwan, the Republican chair of a US congressional committee on China said on Monday, drawing a contrast with Democratic President Joseph R. Biden, who said it made it less likely.

Asked about Mr. Biden’s comments, Huang Wen-chi, assistant deputy chief for Taiwan’s General Staff For Intelligence, said China’s defence spending continued to increase and Taiwan could not let down its guard.

“We so far can’t see any friendliness from the Chinese communist authorities towards us,” he added.

Taiwan’s government says only Taiwan’s people can decide their future. — Reuters

Who should get a COVID vaccine this year?

REUTERS

THE US drug regulator authorized updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and its partner BioNTech as well as from Moderna on Monday as the country prepares to start an autumn vaccination campaign as soon as this week. A third vaccine from Novavax remains under review. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the shots for those aged 12 and above, and authorized them for emergency use in children aged 6 months through 11 years.

Advisers to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention were set to meet on Tuesday to discuss recommendations on who should get the vaccines this year. CDC Director Mandy Cohen said last month she expects the shots to be given annually, but not all doctors agree everyone needs them each year.

How is this year’s vaccine different from last year?

Pfizer with BioNTech, Moderna and Novavax all have created new versions of their COVID-19 vaccines. Unlike last year’s booster shot that included the original strain of the virus and the then-dominant Omicron variant, this year’s shot targets only XBB.1.5, the predominant variant through most of 2023.

The companies have said their retooled vaccines have been shown in early testing to work against newer Omicron subvariants now circulating, including the highly mutated BA.2.86.

Should seniors, the immunocompromised and pregnant people get the shot this year?

There is broad consensus among doctors that these groups should receive at least an annual COVID-19 vaccine to protect against the virus because of their elevated risk of severe disease, hospitalization and death. For instance, the British government’s vaccine committee said only adults 65 and older and some of these other categories will be offered the shot as they are the most likely to benefit.

Should younger, healthy adults get the new vaccine?

Many doctors believe the vaccine should be recommended annually for everyone, much like influenza vaccines.

Dr. William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University infectious diseases specialist and a liaison to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, said a simple and straight-forward recommendation is likely best.

“If you’re six months of age or older, you should get a flu vaccine. Sounds good to me for COVID also,” Mr. Schaffner said.

Dr. David Boulware, a University of Minnesota infectious diseases specialist, said he would recommend that healthy adults get the shots. According to research he has published, people who have received booster shots have symptoms that are less severe and shorter-lasting if they get sick.

Dr. Paul Offit, a University of Pennsylvania infectious disease expert and a member of the FDA’s vaccine advisory panel, said he believes the shots should be recommended annually only for high-risk groups. Studies have not shown the booster shots protect against disease in lower-risk populations, Offit said.

Should people suffering with long COVID get the shot?

There is some data that suggests that vaccination after infection may contribute to a reduction in long COVID symptoms. Regardless, doctors have said that a second episode of COVID-19 could rekindle prior long COVID or worsen ongoing symptoms, and vaccination could help protect against that.

Should children receive a COVID-19 vaccine this year?

Opinions vary on the need for the shots in children.

University of Minnesota epidemiologist Michael Osterholm said children made up a larger percentage of deaths and hospitalizations among those currently with COVID. Although hospitalizations in general are fairly low, over the past month people ages 17 and under have accounted for around 5-6% of COVID-19 hospitalizations, compared with around 4% on average over the previous two years, according to CDC data.

“If parents want to vaccinate their kids, they should be allowed to,” Mr. Osterholm said.

Mr. Boulware said he believes giving children boosters is unnecessary unless there is an immunocompromised person in the household.

The American Academy of Pediatrics said it would make its recommendations after the CDC’s advisory committee meets. — Reuters