1,151 adolescents aged 15-17 years old got COVID-19 vaccine on 1st day —NTF

The National Task Force against COVID-19 on Saturday said at least 1,151 adolescents aged 15 to 17 years old were inoculated against COVID-19 on Friday, the first day of the vaccine rollout for that age group with comorbidities.

The vaccination was held at eight hospitals in Metro Manila, designated as venues for the pilot program.

These hospitals are National Children’s Hospital, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, Fe Del Mundo Medical Center, Philippine Heart Center, Pasig City Children’s Hospital, Philippine General Hospital, St. Luke’s Medical Center BGC, and Makati Medical Center.

Vaccine czar and NTF Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. hailed the vaccine rollout, saying "if we carry this out successfully, as we have previously done with our priority groups, we shall be able to continue the expansion of our face-to-face classes.”

“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.

(With our giving protection to these youths, we will also protect their loved ones. We are encouraging parents and youths to participate in this vaccination.)

After those aged 15 to 17 are vaccinated against COVID-19, the next group to get inoculated is the 12-14 year-old age bracket.

The NTF said those who are qualified for the vaccine rollout among minors (pediatric A3) are those with comorbidities such as medical complexity, genetic condition, neurologic conditions, metabolic or endocrine diseases, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, HIV Infection, tuberculosis, chronic respiratory disease, renal disorders, and hepatobiliary disease, and those who are immunocompromised due to disease or treatment.

Galvez said the pilot vaccination is being done in hospitals specializing in pediatric care to ensure the safety and wellness of children receiving the vaccines.

The vaccine rollout will then be held next in all 17 local government units in Metro Manila starting October 22. The LGUs will identify one hospital as vaccination site, the NTF said.

Meanwhile, areas which have already fully vaccinated 50% of the A2 (senior citizens) group will be allowed to start administering COVID-19 vaccines to minors on November 5, it added.

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

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.

The NTF said the country has so far received 90.61 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines since February this year.

As of October 14, a total of 51.48 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered.

The number of fully vaccinated individuals has reached 23.98 million, representing 31.09% of the target population, the NTF added. —KG, GMA News