MANILA, April 19 (Reuters) - The Philippines will resumeadministering AstraZeneca's AZN.L COVID-19 vaccine to peoplebelow 60 years of age, health officials said on Monday, ending atemporary suspension over reports of rare blood clots in youngerrecipients overseas,

"The benefit outweighs the risk. Only a small percentage ofthe population had these adverse effects for AstraZeneca,"Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told a regular newsconference, referring to the countries where blood clots werereported.

(Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales; Editing by Martin Petty) ((neiljerome.morales@thomsonreuters.com; +632 8841 8914;))