MANILA, Philippines – The COVID-19 vaccination of children aged 12 to 17 years old will be conducted in six hospitals in the National Capital Region (NCR), vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said Monday.
In a press briefing, Galvez said the following NCR facilities will be used for the pilot vaccination of the said age group:
- Philippine Children’s Medical Center
- National Children’s Hospital
- Philippine Heart Center
- Pasig City Children’s Hospital
- Fe Del Mundo Medical Center
- Philippine General Hospital
Galvez said the vaccination for children with co-morbidities will be start on October 15 and will be implemented in phases – 15 to 17-year olds with medical conditions will be immunized first followed by 12 to 14-year olds.
“Gagawin po nating phase, closely monitored at talagang sequential ang gagawin po natin. Nagkakaroon po kami ng continuous research at vaccination ng ibang countries,” he said.
Galvez earlier said the NTF has estimated the initial target population of 12 to 17 year olds at 12.7 million but he later said that the government may expand this up to 29 million. Around 60 million vaccine doses may also be allotted for this age group.
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.
After a few weeks, the vaccination for minors will be expanded to the whole of NCR and then to other areas in the country.
“Pagkatapos ng 30 days, magkakaroon na po tayo ng buong rollout sa NCR at sa mga areas na mayroon po tayong average na more than 50 percent mga A2 vaccinees po natin,” he said.
“Ibig sabihin, ito po ay ibibigay natin sa mga city at mga area na may above 50 percent na general population vaccination especially yung ating mga senior citizen,” he added.
The DOH earlier issued a list of co-morbidities that may qualify minors for COVID-19 vaccination. Minors participating in the campaign should also be well-informed and secure consent from their doctors and parents.
Local government units have started the pre-registration for the vaccination of minors.
The post COVID-19 vaccination for minors to be piloted in 6 NCR hospitals – Galvez appeared first on UNTV News.