Philippines kicks off COVID-19 vaccination for all minors aged 12 to 17

The Philippines on Wednesday started the COVID-19 vaccination for all minors aged 12 to 17.

To mark this milestone, a ceremonial vaccination was conducted at a mall in Parañaque City, which was attended by vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. and other government officials.

There are 12.7 million children aged 12 to 17 in the country, but 1.2 million of them have comorbidities. Children with comorbidities were the first to receive vaccine doses.

A total of 40,419 minors with comorbidities have been vaccinated against COVID-19 since the campaign began on October 15.

Only Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been authorized for pediatric vaccinations in the country.

The Department of Health said the government was seeking to vaccinate 80% or around 10 million of the 12.7 million minors aged 12 to 17 by December.— VBL, GMA News