MANILA, Philippines – The national government is looking to complete the COVID-19 vaccination of minors by December this year to prepare for the implementation of the third dose and booster shots to health workers, and other priority sectors, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said.
During President Rodrigo Duterte’s public address, Galvez emphasized the need to speed up the current vaccination rate in children aged 12 to 17 to protect them from severe COVID-19 and hospitalization, ease their mobility restrictions, and reopen all schools.
“Ang inaano po namin talaga is matapos po yung children vaccination by December kasi magkakahalo-halo na po yung vaccination natin sa 3rd dose tsaka sa first dose,” he said.
Galvez also underscored the need to ease restrictions for children to mitigate social risks and recover lost time.
“Nakikita po natin na yung ating mga kabataan nagsa-suffer na po ang mental health… Bigyan natin sila ng leeway to move around, to play, to study, and also magkaroon ng social [interaction] sa kanilang mga kaibigan,” he said.
Galvez believes that vaccinating children against COVID-19 will also help boost the country’s economy as they will be allowed to go out and visit malls and business establishments with their families.
The government is currently implementing the second phase of the vaccination for children with co-morbidity in Metro Manila. Latest data showed that a total of 12,958 minors have been inoculated.
The program’s phase 3 is set to commence on Friday, Oct. 29. The program is expected to expand to more hospitals and facilities in the region.
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