91k minors aged 5-11 vaxxed vs. COVID-19 —Galvez

The Philippine government has vaccinated around 91,000 minors aged 5 to 11 against COVID-19, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. announced on Monday.

Galvez added more than 9 million 12 to 17-year olds have also been inoculated against the illness.

"At nakita po natin, nailahad po ni Usec. (Myrna) Cabotaje at saka ni (Usec. Maria Rosrio) Vergeire, very minimal po ang ating adverse effect. Wala po tayong major adverse effect," Galvez said at the launch of the pediatric vaccination at Solaire.

(We saw, as reported by Usec. Cabotaje and Usec. Vergeire, the adverse events were very minimal. There were no major ones.)

"Kaya po 'wag po kayo mag-alala. Ang ating vaccination ay mga ligtas po (So you don't need to worry. Our vaccination is safe)," he added.

Last week, Vergeire  said only four minors experienced mild adverse events following immunization such as pain at the injection site, rashes, a slight increase in blood pressure, fever, and vomiting. The minors immediately recovered.

For his part, Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez said the local government has vaccinated close to 8,000 children aged 5 to 11 since last week and almost 50,000 adolescents aged 12 to 17.

"Gusto ko po ipaalam sa inyo, in the City of Parañaque, hindi po kami namimili kung taga-Parañaque, taga-ibang lungsod, taga-ibang probinsya. Lahat po ay open for vaccination," he said.

(I just want to let you know that in the City of Parañaque, we don't choose if you are from Parañaque, from another city, or from another province. We are open to vaccination.)

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and testing czar Vince Dizon were also in attendance during the event

A total of 60 million Filipinos have received at least one dose while another 61.4 million have been fully vaccinated against the illness.

Around 9 million have been given booster shots.—AOL, GMA News