COVID-19 vaccination for 5 to 11 year-olds in NCR eyed on Feb. 4

The national government is eyeing to conduct the initial rollout for the COVID-19 vaccination of children aged 5 to 11 years old in Metro Manila from February 4 to 5, 2022.

In a statement, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. said the designated vaccination sites will include 24 hospitals and non-hospital based facilities. He, however, did not mention the sites.

He said the official announcement and draft policy for the vaccination of the said age group will be released within the week.

“Gusto nga po ng PMA (Philippine Medical Association) na mailagay itong parang vaccination days during weekend kasi nakikita nilang ‘yung mga nanay at tatay ay nagta-trabaho [tuwing weekdays]. More or less February 4 or 5 ang ating vaccination [days] para sa 5-11 years old,” Galvez said.

Although the initial rollout will be conducted in Metro Manila, Galvez said the National Task Force is open to accept requests from other regions to simultaneously conduct their own pilot implementation of the vaccine rollout for the said age group.

"Ang gusto natin talaga ay magkaroon ito ng phasing at sequence dahil alam natin na ang sektor na ito ay napaka-importante at very sensitive talaga. At considering na first time nating makatanggap ng children formulation, ay talagang titingnan nating safe at effective talaga ‘yung pagbabakuna,” he said.

(What we want is implementation by phasing or sequence because we know that the target sector is important and sensitive. And considering that this is the first time to receive vaccine formulation for children, we are also checking that vaccination will be safe and effective.)

Galvez said the Pfizer vaccines to be used for children are reformulated and have a lower dosage compared to the vaccines used for the 12 years old and above age groups.

Aside from the primary series, he said the government also programmed the administration of booster shots to children, pending the release of the amended emergency use authorizations for the vaccines and the go signal coming from the vaccine expert panel for their administration.

As of January 26, the country already administered a total of 125,089,118 COVID-19 vaccine doses.

Over 58 million individuals are already fully vaccinated against the virus. -- BAP, GMA News