DOH: More than 50,000 kids aged 5-11 vaccinated vs. COVID-19

The Department of Health (DOH) said that since 5 to 11-year-old vaccinations started on Monday, 52,262 kids received COVID-19 vaccine shots.

“We now have 52,262 children that were vaccinated,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during Saturday's Laging Handa briefing.

Of the more than 50,000 children who received the reformulated low-dose Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, only four experienced “minor” reactions such as headaches and rashes.

“Agad natin itong na-manage,” Vergeire said.

(We immediately managed these cases.)

Malacañang earlier announced that five to 11 age group vaccinations would take place in the following sites in Metro Manila:

• Philippine Heart Center
• Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC)

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• National Children’s Hospital NCH)
• Manila Zoo
• SM North Edsa (Skydome)
• Fil Oil Gym in San Juan City

The national rollout would be on February 14, the National Vaccination Operations Center said Saturday.

“After next week, we will further roll it out to other areas,” Vergeire said.

Presidential Adviser for COVID-19 Response Vince Dizon said the Duterte administration was confident that the courts would allow five to 11 COVID-19 vaccinations to continue.

Dominic Almelor and Girlie Samonte had earlier asked the Quezon City Regional Trial Court for a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the rollout of pediatric vaccinations for the five to 11 age group.

The Public Attorney's Office (PAO), headed by its unvaccinated chief Persida Acosta, represented the petitioners. — DVM, GMA News