Philippines vaccinates 148K minors aged 5-11; 8 experienced mild reactions

The Philippine government has vaccinated a total of 148,615 minors aged 5 to 11 against COVID-19 since the rollout last week, the Department of Health (DOH) announced Tuesday.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said there are currently 482 vaccination sites for the age group.

"Makakaasa po kayo na ang DOH ay papalawakin pa ang pagbabakuna na ito (you can expect that the DOH will expand this)," Vergeire said at the Palace briefing.

Vergeire said only eight out of the 148,000 minors experienced mild reactions such as pain at the injection site, rashes, a slight increase in blood pressure, fever, itchy throat, and vomiting.

They were managed and quickly recovered.

Though she urged parents to register their children for vaccination, Vergeire reiterated that this is not mandatory and that the consent of parents or guardians is required.

She also stressed that the reformulated Pfizer vaccines will be arriving in tranches.

"Parating na rin po yung mga ating iba pang mga supplies from Pfizer, ito pong reformulated for 5 to 11 years old. Aantayin lang po natin, maybe in the next few weeks," Vergeire said.

Meanwhile, 9.3 million 12 to 17 year olds have been vaccinated. — RSJ, GMA News