NTF: Over 12 million minors expected to be vaccinated vs COVID-19 by December

The Philippines is expecting to vaccinate around 12.7 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 against COVID-19 by December, the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF) said Tuesday.

“12 to 17,  before the end of December with 12.7 population,” the NTF said in a message to reporters.

On Monday night, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said the country is looking to finish the vaccination of minors by December to protect them from severe infection.

A total of 9,928 minors with comorbidities have been vaccinated against the illness.

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

Those with 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.

Meanwhile, the latest data from NTF showed that the Philippines has administered 55 million doses.

Of this, more than 29 million have received at least one dose while over 25 million have been fully vaccinated against the illness.

The Philippines on Monday reported 4,405 new infections, bringing the country’s tally to 2,761,307 and active cases to 57,763.—AOL, GMA News