MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday released the list of co-morbidities of children that will qualify them for COVID-19 vaccination.
The DOH said the list is based on the recommendation of experts from the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP).
The following medical conditions would make children aged 12 to 17 years old eligible for vaccination against COVID-19.
- Medical complexity
- Genetic conditions
- Neurologic conditions
- Cardiovascular disease
- Metabolic/endocrine
- Obesity
- HIV infection
- Tuberculosis
- Chronic respiratory disease
- Renal disorder
- Hepatobillary
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said children participating in the pilot COVID-19 vaccination program should be well-informed and must get clearance from their doctors.
“Major po na pre-requisites, kailangan po may clearance ng doktor ang ating mga kabataang babakunahan with comorbidities, kailangan may informed at assent itong gagawing pagbabakuna,” she said.
“Ibig sabihin ang kanilang magulang ay kailangang magkaroon ng consent dito, pipirma sila sa dokumento at pangalawa iyong bata mismo na babakunahan ay may assent para rito,” she added.
The DOH earlier said that children aged 12 to 17 eligible for vaccination will be part of the A3 priority group (persons with co-morbidities). Their immunization may start on October 15 in select hospitals.
The government will be using Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for the vaccination of this age group, as these were granted emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration.
The DOH said local government units (LGU) will have the responsibility to register and gather the master list of children for COVID-19 vaccination.
“Through the LGUs pa rin tayo so hindi natin babaguhin iyong proseso… It’s just that ang vaccination site mismo nasa ospital pero local governments pa rin ang magma-manage niyan,” Vergeire said.
Even with the imminent vaccination among minors, the DOH continues to urge adults to get COVID-19 shots, especially among the elderly, to protect them against getting severe forms of the disease.
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