Vaccination of 12-17 age group to start in NCR on Nov. 3; nationwide on Nov. 5 —DOH

The vaccination of all minors 12 to 17 years old will kick off on November 3 in the National Capital Region while the nationwide implementation will be on November 5, the Department of Health (DOH) clarified Thursday.

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. earlier said that the nationwide vaccination of all minors may start as early as November 3.

“We will have an initial kick-off sa November 3, ready na ready na po ang NCR,” Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said during the DOH Kapihan Session.

However, Cabotaje later said that some areas which are already prepared for the pediatric vaccination may join the NCR in the initial kick-off on November 3.

“By November 5, full nationwide implementation ng 12 to 17 years old,” she added.

The National Task Force Against COVID-19 said the Philippines is expecting to vaccinate around 12.7 million adolescents aged 12 to 17.

Cabotaje said the government aims to have fully vaccinated at least 80% of the target population by December.

“Pinakamarami po ang Calabarzon, 1.8 million, followed by NCR 1.4 million ang kailangan bakunahan… and then Region III, 1.3,” she said.

Vaccination to be held at regular sites

The Health undersecretary said that non-immunocompromised minors will be vaccinated at regular vaccination sites.

“There’s a suggestion na ‘yung mga may comorbidity ay mas maganda sana ‘yung sa ospital o ‘yung malapit sa ospital. So we will use fixed posts, temporary posts, mobile vaccination,” she said.

Cabotaje also urged local government units to have separate lanes for minors.

“What we are proposing [is to] provide separate lane for pediatric vaccination. Kung minsan naman sa ibang malalaking area, iba ‘yung room ng pedia, iba ‘yung room ng adult population,” she said.

“And then sinabi ko na kailangan maluwag-luwag para may parent or guardian,” she added.

Meanwhile, vaccinees must bring proof of filiation such as birth certificate and baptismal among others as well as identification cards.

123 hospitals and facilities

Cabotaje said the government will open up 123 hospital-based and non-hospital-based vaccination sites for the vaccination of minors with comorbidities nationwide on Friday.

“So marami po sa mga iba’t ibang rehiyon na interesado nang magbukas sa ating pediatric A3 ‘yung ating mga may comorbidities,”  she said.

A total of 23,727 minors with comorbidities have been vaccinated.

Meanwhile, the Philippines has logged a total of 2,768,849 COVID-19 cases, of which 50,152 remain active while 42,348 have succumbed to the illness.—AOL, GMA News