Category: Business Mirror

THE National Police (PNP) Chief, Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., on Thursday expressed confidence in building an airtight case against suspects behind the foiled smuggling of 521 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.

Presenting a link diagram of individuals involved in the illegal drug shipment seized in Laos-which was bound for the Philippines-Nartatez expressed satisfaction on the progress of the investigation.

‘I am satisfied with the progress of the investigation and the diligence shown by our investigators. The evidence gathered reflects a thorough, evidence-based approach aimed at establishing the truth and ensuring accountability,’ Nartatez said.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) expects to wrap up its investigation by Friday, before submitting its final findings to Nartatez.

Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II, CIDG director, disclosed that four summoned individuals skipped the investigation, including a former Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliament member accused of financing the operation.

The investigation follows months of reviewing CCTV footage, gathering testimonies, examining documentary evidence, and issuing over 40 subpoenas regarding the attempt to traffic the illicit cargo via a chartered aircraft.

‘The CIDG and our partner agencies have worked methodically to piece together the facts. What matters is that the investigation remains objective, comprehensive, and anchored on credible evidence,’ Nartatez added.

Nartatez ordered police units to locate unaccounted persons of interest, emphasizing that their cooperation is vital to uncovering the full details of the smuggling attempt.

‘The strength of any case will ultimately be determined in court, but our objective is to build the strongest possible case based on facts, evidence, and due process,’ Nartatez added.

‘We remain focused on ensuring that every piece of evidence is carefully validated so that those responsible, regardless of status or position, can be held accountable under the law,’ he also said.

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has forged an agreement with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to ensure the complete destruction of condemned farm goods, helping curb agricultural smuggling.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the department signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the BOC last week, which outlines the roles of the respective agencies regarding condemned goods.

‘The MOA defines the roles of each agency when a container is seized or needs to be opened-the protocols up until its release,’ Tiu Laurel told reporters on the sidelines of a Senate hearing on the DA’s proposed 2027 budget.

‘If it’s smuggled, it goes all the way to rendering [facilities]. If there’s no issue upon opening, then it will be released immediately,’ he added.

Tiu Laurel said the agreement means DA officials, particularly the DA Inspectorate and Enforcement Unit, as well as those from other government agencies, are present to ensure that condemned farm goods are properly destroyed.

This, following reports that condemned agricultural shipments bound to be destroyed in rendering facilities were allegedly sold to the market, despite being deemed unfit for human consumption.

‘It’s a matter of food safety. It’s a matter of eliminating smuggling,’ Tiu Laurel said.

Under the rules, the National Meat Inspection Services (NMIS) issues a certification stating that the condemned agricultural products are not fit for human consumption prior to disposal in recognized rendering facilities.

Further, the DA chief said the MOA would also help ease the movement of agricultural products.

‘It’s also more efficient for everyone. Whether they are importers or exporters, they can have a better flow of their goods.

Earlier, Tiu Laurel noted that the DA will start the bidding for the construction of Cold Examination Facilities for Agriculture (Cefas) when it receives the special allotment release order (Saro) under its 2026 budget.

‘Three Cefas will be built at the [Ports of] Manila, Subic, and Davao. The actual bidding can start as soon as we get the Saro. So, technically we’re ready to implement the three [sites],’ he said.

The DA earlier allocated around P1.2 billion or P313 million each to build the three Cefas this year.

He noted that once these were bid out, construction could take 12 months, with the DA’s deadline to complete the three Cefas set at end-2027. This means it could be operational in 2028.

The initiative brings together health and wellness, community development, environmental sustainability, and responsible recruitment under one program.

Towne Kids, a pediatric home care staffing company serving families across New Jersey and Massachusetts, has launched TK Cares, its corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, with a company-wide blood donation drive held on October 21, 2026. The ‘Give Blood. Give Hope.’ bloodletting activity was conducted in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross, with participation from 9.0 Niner English and GH Premier Review Center.

According to the Philippine Red Cross, the blood donation drive helped save 44 lives, giving the initiative a direct impact beyond Towne Kids’ day-to-day work. For the company, the activity puts a simple idea into action: caring for others can begin with something one person is willing to give.

For CEO Mindy Tyner, TK Cares brings together the company’s social responsibility efforts under a shared program.

‘For us, caring for people means looking beyond a single activity. It’s about supporting the communities around us, helping those who need care, and recognizing the people who make that care possible,’ said Tyner. ‘TK Cares brings these efforts together under one program and gives us a way to keep building on them.’

TK Cares has four pillars: Care for People, which covers health and wellness initiatives such as ‘Give Blood. Give Hope.’; Care for Communities, which will support community development; Care for Planet, focused on environmental sustainability; and Care for Every Nurse Journey, which places responsible recruitment and nurses’ welfare within the company’s wider social responsibility efforts.

For Towne Kids, caring for nurses goes beyond connecting them with professional opportunities. It also means helping them understand the journey ahead, providing relevant information, and making support accessible throughout the process. Through Care for Every Nurse Journey, TK Cares recognizes that the well-being of nurses matters not only to their own professional growth, but also to the children and families who depend on their care.

This focus is closely tied to Towne Kids’ work connecting qualified Filipino nurses with pediatric home care opportunities in the United States. Finding the right opportunity is only one part of a nurse’s journey. Understanding the role, knowing what to expect, and having access to relevant information and support throughout the recruitment process also matter.

‘Responsible recruitment doesn’t end at the job offer. It means caring about what happens next,’ Tyner said.

That principle also informs Towne Kids’ Step Up initiative, which focuses on expanding its U.S. nurse recruitment and deployment pipeline through the TN visa pathway for eligible professionals. The pathway has specific citizenship, occupational, and other immigration requirements, making eligibility an important part of the process.

Since 2021, Towne Kids has deployed 303 nurses across New Jersey and Massachusetts, connecting nursing professionals with families whose children need specialized care. As the company explores further opportunities in the United States, it continues to build its work around the needs of both the families receiving care and the nurses providing it.

The ‘Give Blood. Give Hope.’ Blood Donation Drive was the first major activity under TK Cares’ Care for People pillar. Through its partnership with the Philippine Red Cross, the activity supported efforts to make blood available to patients who need it for medical treatment. 9.0 Niner English and GH Premier Review Center also took part in the drive.

‘Voluntary blood donation plays an important role in ensuring that blood is available for patients who need transfusions. Partnerships with organizations like Towne Kids help encourage more people to donate and support the continued availability of safe blood for medical treatment. We hope more organizations will take similar steps to make community health a shared responsibility,’ said Dr. Olivia Manalad of the Philippine Red Cross.

In her message introducing the CSR initiative, Tyner described the personal meaning of blood donation: ‘There is no more honest way to care for another person than to give a part of yourself so they can keep living. No branding. No metaphor. Just one person’s blood, becoming another person’s chance.’

Towne Kids thanked the Philippine Red Cross for its partnership, 9.0 Niner English, and GH Premier Review Center for participating, and everyone who took part in the drive.

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Beyond blood donation, TK Cares will bring together future activities in community development and environmental sustainability, alongside health and wellness initiatives and the company’s focus on responsible recruitment. Through these efforts, Towne Kids aims to make social responsibility part of how it operates and grows, extending its work to the nurses, families, and communities connected to its business.

Be it in the courtroom or the pageant stage, Atty. Clarie May Mariano Tamondong always makes a compelling case. As Mrs. Universe North Philippines, she is currently competing in Sri Lanka at the Mrs. Universe 2026, vying for the country’s first crown.

Together with compatriot Fatima Figueroa Alvarez, the reigning Mrs. Universe Philippines, Clarie May is a standout among 130 delegates from around the world. The National Costume Round will be today, October 23, while the World Finale will be on October 24 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo.

Based in Sofia, Bulgaria, the Mrs. Universe is an annual international competition for ‘the most honorable married woman.’ It is open to married, divorced and widowed women who are between the ages of 18 and 55, have a family and career, and are involved in a ‘significant cause.’ Sherry Singh of India, who won in Manila in 2025, is the reigning queen.

‘After celebrating my birthday in Vietnam, one of my greatest wishes is to become a Mrs. Universe Philippines title holder, not just for the crown, but to inspire and empower women through my voice,’ Clarie May expressed in her advocacy video for the national finals in late June. ‘My advocacy focuses on empowering women through mental health awareness, especially those with postpartum depression, menopausal, and abuse.’

HER HUSBAND, HER HERO

At the special presscon hosted by Maria Charo Calalo, MrsUPh national director and a former Mrs. UPh herself, Clarie May extolled the virtues of her husband, Paul Mari Chan:

‘I can say that my husband is my hero because he always accompanies me not only in my walks, not only financially but also, he accompanies me in the struggles that I’m experiencing. And I can consider that I’m struggling right now since I’m into a difficult situation, I have to manage my time well, I have to juggle between work and preparation with the beauty pageant.

And at the same time, I have to work very hard because, of course, I’m a mother, I understand that we don’t need to spend really a lot for the beauty pageant, but of course, I also want to do my best.

‘I’m really preparing a lot financially. So, I’m also spending my time for this. And I won’t be able to do all of this, I won’t be able to overcome the difficulties that I’m experiencing if I don’t have my husband. Because when I’m attending hearings, he’s always there.

‘He’s the one who drives for me, no matter how long he waits. When I’m attending a pasarela training, he’s always there. He’s willing to wait for me in the car. And financially, he’s always there to support me.

‘He’s really my number-one supporter. And I told him that he’s my hero because I won’t be able to do this without him.

‘Mahal, thank you so much for being my major sponsor. And you know, I love you so much. You’re my number-one support for everything.

‘And like what I’ve been telling you, it’s my wish to always be with you. Just be there. Always be careful in everything we do. Always take care of yourself because I want to be with you until the end.’

HER VOICE, HER HEALING

Clarie May represented Quirino Province at the Mrs. Universe Philippines finals on June 28 at the Manila Hotel. Quirino Province. She is happily married with one son and a litigation lawyer specializing in criminal, civil, labor, and family law. From being Little Miss St. Mark’s School during her childhood days to becoming a mother, a lawyer, and now a beauty queen, her journey has been shaped by passion, purpose, and resilience.

For her advocacy video, Clarie May focused on postpartum depression and menopausal-related psychological changes, which are highly important mental health concerns as both conditions can significantly affect the overall quality of life:

‘Around the world, studies now show that one in five mothers experience postpartum depression after childbirth. In recent global studies, around 37 percent of women experience depression, anxiety, and emotional distress during menopausal. And according to the latest Philippine Statistics Authority, around 15 percent of Filipino women ages 15 to 49 experience physical, emotional, and sexual abuse from an intimate partner.

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‘Behind these numbers are real women, real mothers who are silently struggling every day. This advocacy is important to me because as a lawyer and a mother, I’ve witnessed how postpartum depression, menopause, and abuse can deeply affect women’s confidence. As a litigation lawyer handling family cases, I’ve seen too many women endure abuse while staying silent for their children.

‘I’ve represented mothers breaking free from emotional and physical trauma. This is why this advocacy is deeply personal to me. Through my advocacy project, Her Voice, Her Healing, I’ve started promoting mental health awareness through community outreach programs.

‘I want to encourage women to seek help without fear or shame. My goal is to use my voice and platform to empower women and inspire. I want people to know that true strength is not about hiding pain.

‘It’s about having the courage to seek help, heal, and rise again. Never be afraid to seek for help. You are worthy of giving.

‘The change I want to see is a society where women feel safe to talk about mental health and abuse because when women feel heard, supported, and empowered, the entire families and communities become stronger.’

GOVERNMENT agencies may request additional fund releases until November 3 to prioritize allocations before the fiscal year ends, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said.

The DBM issued a circular, signed by Budget Secretary Kim Robert C. De Leon, moving up the deadline for submitting agency requests for the release of additional funds needing the issuance of obligational and disbursement authorities and other similar approvals and authority.

‘In order to maximize the use of available funds, and considering the limited validity period for release, obligation and utilization of all budget authorization, agencies are enjoined to submit to the [DBM] their requests,’ it said.

The DBM said the earlier deadline would enable the agency to timely assess and prioritize budgetary requests, given that this year’s budget is almost released.

As of October 15, a total of P6.596 trillion has been released from this year’s P6.793-trillion expenditure program.

Meanwhile, the DBM exempts some mandatory or urgent purposes from the November 3 cut-off date, although subject to the availability of funds.

These include additional personnel services requirements, including government share contributions for Retirement and Life Insurance Premium, terminal leave benefits of national government personnel devolved to LGUs, among others.

Requests for the issuance of non-cash availment authorities to enable the proper recording of loan disbursements, as well as for emergency responses stemming from extraordinary or prevailing circumstances are also exempted from the earlier deadline.

The DBM said requests must be complete and in order, accompanied by all documentary requirements prescribed in the DBM Citizen’s Charter.

Submissions must be coursed directly through the DBM Central Records Division on or before the deadline.

New logo, Sunlife name and Making life brighter tagline reflect the evolution of the global organization and its commitment to Clients

Sun Life Financial Inc. (‘Sunlife’) today unveiled a refreshed global brand, marking a new chapter for the company and reflecting the growing breadth and integration of its business worldwide.

Sunlife has evolved well beyond its traditional roots in life insurance, expanding its global reach and capabilities across asset management, health, wealth, and insurance. Asia has been an important part of that growth story, with Sunlife Asia now serving more than 30 million Clients across eight markets and contributing 18% of Sunlife’s group underlying net income in 2025, up from 15% two years earlier.

The refreshed brand brings the company’s identity in line with that transformation through a modernized version of its logo, simplified and optimized for a digital world, alongside a new global tagline, Making life brighter. The company is also bringing its global brand name together as Sunlife, one word. Together, the changes create a more modern, distinctive and consistent expression of Sunlife around the world.

‘This is about much more than changing how Sunlife looks. It’s about building a brand aligned to our Purpose and ambition for the next chapter of our company,’ said Kevin Strain, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sunlife. ‘By bringing the strength of Sunlife together under one clear global identity, we create deeper relationships, serve more of our Clients’ needs and unlock new opportunities for growth. That is the opportunity behind this evolution and the future we are building toward.’

At the heart of the new brand is Making life brighter, a simple expression of the impact Sunlife strives to have every day. It means helping make important decisions clearer, challenges more manageable and opportunities feel more within reach. It also connects directly to Sunlife’s Purpose: helping Clients build lifetime financial security and lead healthier lives. Through trusted advice, solutions and support, Sunlife aims to be an active and trusted partner helping Clients navigate the moments and decisions that shape their lives, or their businesses.

‘Sunlife has stood alongside Filipinos since 1895 as the country’s first and longest standing life insurer,’ said JJ Moreno, Country Head and CEO of Sunlife Philippines. ‘Across generations, we have helped families protect what matters, prepare for important milestones and build financial security. Today, that commitment reaches more than 6.2 million Clients through our nationwide network of over 22,000 advisors, supported by solutions spanning insurance, health, wealth, and asset management.’

The refreshed Sunlife brand reflects the evolving needs and expectations of Clients. New global research from Sunlife highlights a growing expectation among consumers for more integrated support. In the Philippines, more than two-thirds (67%) say managing their health can affect their financial situation, while the same proportion (67%) say their financial situation has an impact on their health. The survey also highlights strong demand for a more integrated approach, with more than three-quarters (76%) wanting support that considers their health, finances, and protection needs together rather than separately. That demand is significantly higher in Asia than in North America, where fewer than half (47%) say they want integrated support, and is also above the global average of 65%.

‘Filipino families are managing increasingly interconnected priorities, from protecting their health and income to funding education, preparing for retirement, and passing on a legacy,’ said Moreno. ‘By combining our global expertise and long local experience with stronger digital capabilities, we can help Clients address those needs more holistically, make financial decisions simpler, and move them towards a more secure future.’

While Sunlife’s brand is evolving, its commitment to delivering on its Purpose remains unchanged. The refreshed brand will bring that commitment to life through a more modern and consistent Sunlife experience around the world. It will roll out in phases across global markets, businesses, and Client experiences, beginning with high-impact digital and Client-facing channels. During the transition, audiences may see both the previous and refreshed Sunlife branding across different touchpoints.

Learn more about Sunlife’s refreshed brand, including its new logo, tagline, and brand story here.

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that the Philippines has exported young coconuts (buko) to Liberia, potentially opening new trade channels across West Africa.

Davao City-based Abante Agri-Products Philippines Inc. shipped approximately 50 metric tons (MT) of whole young coconuts to Monrovia, Liberia, using two 40-foot refrigerated containers. Each container held 16,000 coconuts distributed across 800 sacks (20 pieces per sack), carrying a combined free-on-board (FOB) value of $22,400.

The initiative supports the government’s broader strategy to diversify export destinations. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized that market access and private-sector partnerships are essential to build a competitive agriculture sector and enhance farmers’ livelihoods.

‘Expanding into new international markets creates opportunities for our coconut farmers and exporters,’ Tiu Laurel said. ‘The challenge is to turn these initial shipments into sustained demand that delivers better returns to our farmers and strengthens the Philippine coconut industry.’

Facilitated through Liberia’s Ministry of Agriculture, the shipment will be donated to rural communities in the West African nation to support feeding programs and households-adding a humanitarian dimension to the commercial transaction.

However, the DA noted that the long-term impact on farmers depends on whether these new channels can generate repeat orders, boost overall demand, and lift farmgate prices. The agency cautioned that higher export volumes alone do not guarantee increased incomes, as shipping costs, product quality, supply consistency, and revenue-sharing mechanisms will ultimately dictate the net benefits for local growers.

‘From Mindanao’s coconut-growing communities to rural Liberia, the initiative demonstrates how Philippine agricultural products can serve international needs while opening new possibilities for farmers and the domestic coconut industry,’ the DA added.

THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) has exceeded its full-year investment target with two months left in 2026, but said sustaining the pace will depend on helping businesses navigate rising costs and economic uncertainty.

Peza approved P309.629 billion in investments from January to October, up 76.56 percent from P175.365 billion in the same period last year and above its P300-billion target for the year.

The agency is now poised to surpass its previous annual investment record of P311.9 billion, set in 2012, as it said it continues to receive inquiries from prospective investors.

‘While we have exceeded our target, we recognize that businesses continue to face cost pressures and economic uncertainties,’ Peza Director General Tereso Panga said in a statement.

From January to October, Peza’s board approved 240 new and expansion projects expected to generate $9.124 billion in exports and create 38,815 direct jobs.

The projects cover export manufacturing, information technology and business process management, facilities, economic zone development, logistics, domestic-market enterprises, utilities and tourism.

Among the leading sources of foreign investment in Philippine economic zones were Taiwan, the Netherlands, South Korea, Singapore and Indonesia.

On the other hand, in October alone, Peza approved 18 new and expansion projects worth P12.487 billion. These are expected to generate $178.203 million in exports and create 5,484 direct jobs.

Of the projects approved that month, 15 are located in Luzon: six in the National Capital Region, eight in Calabarzon and one in Central Luzon. The remaining three are in the Visayas, with two in Cebu and one in Iloilo.

‘Our priority now is to sustain this momentum and help translate these investment commitments into actual operations, more exports, and high-value employment for Filipinos,’ Panga said.

THE rapidly intensifying El Niño has battered more plantations, with damage climbing to over P8.5 billion, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The latest DA bulletin showed that agricultural damage brought by the strengthening dry spell has swelled to P8.57 billion, with losses recorded across 14 regions.

This has so far affected 288,058 farmers with 291,154 hectares of agricultural areas.

Also, the volume of losses has soared to 220,307 metric tons (MT), severely hitting the corn sector which sustained most of the damage at 132,290 MT worth P5 billion.

This was followed by rice, with losses pegged at 71,408 MT valued at P2.95 billion, based on the DA report.

High-value crops were also struck by El Niño, damaging 16,450 MT of highland and lowland vegetables at P571.28 million.

The livestock and poultry sector lost 6,690 animals from the climate pattern, which includes swine, carabao, duck, chicken, goat, cattle, turkey, and goose. The value of losses stood at P37.75 million.

Citing Pagasa, the DA noted a ‘strong to very strong’ presence in the tropical Pacific.

Forecasts predict El Niño may peak before yearend and persist until the first half of 2027, according to the state weather bureau.

While the latest water levels across major dams remain generally stable, Pagasa flagged the fact that Pantabangan Dam is below its target water level.

Mitigation measures

To cushion the El Niño’s impact on farmers’ livelihood and production, the DA said it has rolled out an initial P11.34 billion worth of interventions to affected individuals.

Broken down, P10.81 billion worth of assistance was given to provide farm inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, soil conditioner.

The DA, through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), has also allocated P569.95 million in indemnification payments based on claims filed by 68,980 farmers.

Further, 95,841 chickens, ducks, swine, goats, sheep, cattle, and rabbits were distributed to 92 groups of farmers and 306 farmer individuals through the Philippine Native Animal Development (PNAD) Program and Animal Production and Distribution (APAD).

The DA also conducted cloud seeding operations in collaboration with Pagasa and the Philippine Air Force (PAF) in agricultural and watershed areas in Cagayan Valley and Western Visayas.

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It added that 338 water pumps were installed to enhance water supply in Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula.

Leading US medical groups are urging people to get updated flu and Covid-19 vaccinations this fall, banding together Wednesday to issue shot guidelines-and highlight the science behind them-saying they hope to ease confusion caused by the Trump administration’s changing advice.

Flu vaccinations are beginning and Covid-19 shots are starting to arrive after the Food and Drug Administration approved this year’s updated versions last week. Exactly who should get one or all of these vaccines, and when?

That advice usually comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with help from its independent advisers. But despite no new scientific evidence, Trump health officials last year began pulling back on some longstanding recommendations for fall virus protection and routine children’s vaccinations.

Doctors’ groups are filling the gap: the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America each released vaccination guidelines for their patient populations.

‘There’s been a lot of confusion and chaos regarding vaccine recommendations,’ said Dr. Sandra Fryhofer, of the American Medical Association.

All the groups’ recommendations plus evidence on shot safety and effectiveness are being posted on websites so ‘the public has clear, consistent, science-based guidance even while the federal process is in flux,’ Fryhofer said.

Just about everyone should get vaccinated against flu

JUST about everybody starting at age 6 months needs flu vaccination, the medical societies agree. But flu is particularly dangerous for people 65 and older, pregnant women, young children and people of any age who have chronic health problems, including asthma, diabetes, heart disease and weak immune systems. The last two flu seasons were especially harsh, with unusually high numbers of child deaths-the vast majority of them in unvaccinated kids.

The vaccines don’t block all flu infections but they do help prevent the worst outcomes, decreasing older adults’ hospitalizations by 31 percent, according to the Vaccine Integrity Project, a public health group based at the University of Minnesota. Its analysis was published on Wednesday in the medical journal Jama.

Here’s how to pick from the multiple flu vaccine options

THREE ‘enhanced’ flu vaccines are designed to better protect seniors. The American Academy of Family Physicians urges them to choose one-‘but do not delay your vaccination if that one’s not available,’ said AAFP’s Dr. Sarah Nosal.

There’s a new choice this year for people ages 50 and older, the first flu vaccine made with the same mRNA technology that was key to ending the Covid-19 pandemic. One study found Moderna’s mFlusiva was 27 percent more effective against symptomatic illness among 50- to 64-year-olds than a standard shot. The FDA just approved the new option and the company expects some doses to be available soon at certain pharmacies.

The shot-averse could choose a nasal spray, FluMist, if they’re ages 2 to 49 and meet other health criteria.

The latest on COVID-19 vaccines

COVID-19 shots once were recommended for just about everyone by federal health agencies, but like last year, the FDA has only formally approved them for higher-risk people-those ages 65 and older or younger people with at least one health condition that increases their risk.

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Still, family physicians recommend all adults get a Covid-19 vaccination, especially seniors and those with other risk factors. Adults 65 and older should get a fall dose and then a second dose six months later, as immunity wanes over time, Nosal said.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a Covid-19 shot for all children ages 6 months to 23 months, and for older kids with high-risk conditions. It also supports vaccination for any child whose parent wishes it.

With millions of shots administered, there’s no evidence that coronavirus vaccination during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage or other problems, ‘so please get the vaccine,’ said ACOG’s Dr. Christina Davidson.

Depending on age, people can choose a shot from Moderna, Pfizer, or the only non-mRNA version from Novavax and Sanofi.

Just like with flu vaccines, these shots are better at preventing severe disease than mild cases. The Vaccine Integrity Project said last fall’s Covid-19 shots cut the risk of hospitalization by 53 percent in seniors and slashed emergency room visits for very young children.

Common side effects for flu and Covid-19 vaccines are mild and temporary, such as sore arms, fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, and mild fever. They occurred somewhat more often with the new mFlusiva than with standard flu shots.