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Gov’t proposes vaccination of minors by mid-October — Galvez


Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. on early Thursday morning proposed that the vaccination of minors aged 12 to 17 years old against COVID-19 begin by mid-October.

In the latest Talk to the People, Galvez said the Philippine government had 23.75 million vaccines in stock while an additional 20 million are expected to arrive by the first week of October.

“We are proposing to open the vaccination for children by mid October, kasi by mid October may additional pa tayong 20 million na dadating plus ‘yung 23 million, kayang-kaya na natin ma-vaccinate ‘yung 12 million na bata, na 12 to 17,” he said.

[We are proposing to open the vaccination for children by mid-October, because we will be receiving another 20 million along with the 23 million. We can vaccinate 12 million minors aged 12 to 17 years old.]

“Pero ang recommendation natin, mauna muna po ‘yung may comorbidities atsaka po ‘yung mga anak po ng mga healthcare workers,” he added. 

[However, we recommend that those with comorbidities and children of healthcare workers be prioritized.]

On September 19, the government's panel of experts approved COVID-19 vaccinations for children.

Galvez said the country is experiencing a “saturation point’ in the National Capital Region and other cities.

“Meaning parang nag mi-meet na po ‘yung demand at saka ‘yung supply. Meaning kailangan na natin mag-open ng other sectors,” he said.

[Meaning we are meeting the demand and the supply. This means we need to open to other sectors.]

Galvez has earlier said that the government is set to start the vaccination of the general public by next month.

“By November po, or even earlier, pwede na po nating i-open ang general public,” he said.

[By November, or even earlier, we can start vaccinating the general public.]

As of Wednesday, the Philippines has logged a total of 2,417,419 cases, of which 2,217,611 have recovered and 37,228 have succumbed to the illness. -- BAP, GMA News

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