Minors aged 5-11 with comorbidities to be prioritized in COVID-19 vaccination — NTF adviser

Minors aged 5 to 11 with comorbidities will be prioritized in the government’s vaccination program against COVID-19, an adviser of the National Task Force against COVID-19 said Friday.

“Syempre, ipra-prioritized natin… unang-una, ‘yung mga batang may comorbidity o immunocompromised. Sila ‘yung nangangailangan,” Dr. Ted Herbosa told Super Radyo dzBB.

(Of course, we will prioritize children with comorbidities o immunocompromised individuals. They are the ones who need it.)

“And then susunod ‘yung general population (and then the general population will follow),” he added.

According to the NTF adviser, the vaccination will likely be rolled out first in vaccination sites or hospitals with no COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region.

“Oo, malamang, NCR muna kasi nga, alam niyo naman, kapag dumating ang bakuna, kapag dineploy sa malayong lugar, additional fee ‘yan,” he said.

(Yes, it’s likely, NCR will go first because, as you know, there’s an additional fee when vaccines are deployed to other areas.)

Herbosa said parental consent is still needed.

“Hindi naman ‘yan pilitan, hindi ‘yan mandatory. May mga magulang kasing takot… Although alam ninyo naman ginagawa na ‘to sa Europa, sa America, at marami pang bansa,”” he said.

(It’s not required, it’s not mandatory. There are some parents who are afraid… although this is already being done in other countries like Europe and America, and more.)

He previously said the Pfizer vaccines for the said age group is scheduled to arrive on the last week of January.  He previously said at least 50 million doses were purchased by the government.

Meanwhile, Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said the government is eyeing to inoculate minors aged 5 to 11 years old against COVID-19 on the first week of February.

Herbosa said those interested may register through their local government units.

“Hindi pa tayo pwede magpabakuna ng 5 to 11, ano? Nire-register pa lang natin, ‘yung mga LGU nirerehistro kung gusto niyo pabakunahan ang inyong anak na 5 to 11 para meron silang numero na ire-request sa national government,” he said.

(We cannot yet vaccinate the 5 to 11. They are still being registered. The LGUs are registering those interested in the vaccination so they can request a number in the national government.)

As of January 13, around 58.5 million individuals have received at least one dose while 54.4 million individuals have been fully vaccinated against the illness.

Meanwhile, 4.4 million have received booster shots. — RSJ, GMA News