1,509 minors with comorbidities vaccinated on 1st week — DOH

A total of 1,509 minors with comorbidities aged 15 to 17 years old were vaccinated against COVID-19 in the first week of the rollout of pediatric vaccination, the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday.

In a radio interview, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the pilot vaccination was “very successful.”

“So ito naman po ay isang magandang pakita na ang ating mga magulang tsaka ‘yung ating mga kabataan ay talagang may kumpiyansa dito sa ating bakuna,” she said.

(This is good proof that our parents and our minors are confident in the vaccines.)

Effects

Meanwhile, Vergeire said they have received reports that some of the minors experienced side effects. She clarified the data is not official as the DOH has yet to complete the assessment.

“May na report sa amin pero hindi pa nakapasok doon sa official system… dalawa about anxiety related. Meron pong isa nag allergies pero kapag tapos ay natugunan agad at natapos din naman,” she said.

(We received reports that are not yet in the official system… two of them are anxiety-related. One got allergies but it passed very quickly.)

“At meron naman pong isa parang nagkaroon ng taas ng presyon but after two hours nag stabilize. Ito po yung mga nareport sa atin,” she added.

(The blood pressure of another minor increased, but it stabilized after two hours.)

Vergeire said the government will determine if the vaccination can be rolled out to more minors and other areas in two to three weeks.

“So meron ho tayong naka-linya na na gagawin pagkatapos nitong mga nasa ospital. We will be rolling out into our local government vaccination centers,” she said.

(We have activities lined up at hospitals. We will be rolling out into our local government vaccination centers.)

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

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

Meanwhile, medical conditions 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 are eligible for vaccination.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benhur Abalos previously said Metro Manila mayors will release a resolution regarding the mobility of children as the region shifts to a more relaxed Alert Level 3 until the end of the month. — RSJ, GMA News