DOH: Over 1K vaccinated against COVID-19 on 1st day of pediatric vaccination

More than 1,000 children with comorbidities were vaccinated against COVID-19 on Friday as the Philippines kicked off its pilot pediatric vaccination against the illness, the Department of Health (DOH) announced.

As of 4 p.m. Friday, the DOH said the National Vaccine Operations Center (NVOC) reported that a total of 1,031 children aged 12 to 17 years old have been vaccinated.

The NVAC said most of these came from the Philippine Heart Center, Makati Medical Center, St. Luke's Medical Center-Global City, and Pasig City Children's Hospital.

Eight hospitals were tapped for the pilot vaccination.

“Sa ating pagbibigay proteksyon sa mga kabataang ito, atin ring mapoproteksyonan ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay. Sa ating mga magulang at mga kabataan, kayo ay aming hinihikayat na makilahok sa pagbabakunang ito,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said in a statement.

“Katuwang ng ating mga eksperto, doktor, at mga pediatricians, makakaasa kayong patuloy naming babantayan ang pagbabakunang ito,” he added.

The DOH estimates around 1.2 million children with comorbidities aged 12 to 17 years old nationwide.

Meanwhile, the following medical conditions are eligible for vaccination:

• medical complexity (i.e. those with long term dependence on technical support)
• genetic conditions
• neurologic conditions
• metabolic/endocrine diseases
• cardiovascular diseases
• obesity
• HIV infection
• tuberculosis
• chronic respiratory diseases
• renal disorders
• hepatobiliary diseases
• immunocompromised due to disease or treatment

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire previously said children seeking vaccination must get a clearance from their doctors as well as give their consent and assent.

Vergeire advised parents to register through their local government units. — RSJ, GMA News