The Department of Health (DOH) aims to vaccinate 9.6 million minors in the 12-17 age group before the end of the year.
This is related to the announcement by Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje that vaccination will begin in that age group even without comorbidities in Metro Manila on November 3 and nationwide on November 5.
The official added that 9.6 million is equivalent to 80 percent of the 12 million youths belonging to such age group nationwide.
The purpose of expanding pediatric vaccination is to encourage other family members to get vaccinated as well and for children to return to face-to-face classes.”
“We are hoping that with children’s vaccination ay i-increase ang pagbabakuna ng ating mga lolo, mga lola, mga A2 (senior citizen). Initially may feeling na ‘Wag na kami mga anak na lang namin,’” said Cabotaje.
He also said that the areas that are ready for it could start vaccinating the youth along with the cities in Metro Manila.
Gov’t targets to vaccinate 9.6 million minors before end-2021
It is possible that the COVID-19 vaccination of all minors 12 to 17 nationwide will begin on November 3, 2021, according to vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr.
“We will open up ‘yung (vaccination ng) 12 to 17 years old sa November 3 dahil nakita natin na maganda naman ang naging result ng ating trials at pilot sa hospitals. Nakita natin very minimum ‘yung adverse effects,” Galvez said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB on Wednesday.
Up to 14,000 minors with comorbidities have reportedly been vaccinated.
“Nakapagbakuna na tayo ng more than 14,000, i-o-open na po natin para wala nang tinatawag nating bottleneck ,” he added.
According to the secretary, private companies can also vaccinate adolescent dependents of their employees.
“Pwede na po ‘yun, just in case sa November 3 pwede na po mag-start. They have to coordinate with the different LGUs…coordinate with the National Vaccination Operation Center para ma-inspect at sa training ,” said Galvez.
It will also add 40 to 50 hospitals nationwide that will vaccinate minors.
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