LGUs, other health centers included in Phase 2 of pediatric vaccination —Duque

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Thursday said local government units' (LGUs) venues and other health centers will be included in Phase 2 of the inoculation of children with comorbidities versus COVID-19.

This after Iloilo Representative and former Health chief Janette Garin warned of the risk of transmission for minors if they are vaccinated in hospitals, which she said is a "main petri dish" of the coronavirus. 

But Duque said they also picked LGU venues and health centers near hospitals, where inoculated children may immediately be transported if they experience severe adverse effects.

"Isasama sa Phase 2, 'yung mga LGUs kung saan mabakunahan ang mga batang may comorbidities, kahit sa centers na malapit sa hospital," he said over GTV's Balitanghali.

(LGUs as well as centers near hospitals will be included in the program.)

The DOH had said 25 hospitals and facilities in the metropolis will join the second phase of vaccination rollout for minors with underlying diseases, which will begin on Friday, October 22.

Around 1.2 million children with comorbidities aged 12 to 17 years old all over the country are expected to be vaccinated against the severe respiratory disease, DOH said. — Consuelo Marquez/BM, GMA News