More hospitals administer COVID-19 jabs on minors as expanded rollout begins
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine health authorities on Friday began the expanded COVID-19 vaccination program for adolescents with more hospitals now administering the jabs.
The government opened inoculations for the said age group or those 12 to 17 years old in mid-October, specifically on those with underlying conditions or comorbidities.
It came seven months since the country launched its efforts to vaccinate up to 77 million individuals this year and achieve "population protection."
Eight hospitals in the National Capital Region were picked as initial sites for minors' inoculation.
That figure has since been expanded to add 13 more institutions, according to Dr. Paz Corrales of the Metro Manila Center for Health Development.
Officials were at a ceremonial vaccination program this morning at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in Mandaluyong, one of the additional pilot sites.
Citing vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., Corrales added there are now 5,781 minors vaccinated as of October 21.
"We want to give importance to this because this will give way for the safe return of our children to schools," she said in Filipino, "and to reopen the economy faster."
Health Undersecretary Roger Tong-an acknowledged that lockdowns have stunted children's growth and have affected their mental health.
He urged more adults and of the eligible population of minors to register for the jabs, as it will "make a better environment for the kids."
The Department of Health has said it is looking to vaccinate an estimated 1.2 million children with comorbidities.
Those joining the pilot run need a consent from their parents, as well as an assent of their own. They would also be monitored for adverse effects following immunization.
Vaccines cleared for emergency use on adolescents by the Food and Drug Administration so far are Pfizer and Moderna.
Select hospitals in the capital region also began vaccination minors on Friday, such as the Opistal ng Maynila Medical Center and Pasay City General Hospital, to name a few.
Of the adult population, government figures showed some 25.10 million have completed their COVID-19 shots, while 29.34 million have received a first dose.
A new thread on the Philippines' vaccination program in 2021 in the government's revised objective to reach "population protection." Bookmark our COVID-19 and Vaccination Dashboard for the latest figures on the pandemic in the Philippines. — Main image: The STAR/Michael Varcas, file
The city government of Valenzuela City announces that it is temporarily suspending the use of Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 vaccines as they wait for more vaccine supplies.
ADVISORY: Pansamantalang inihinto ang pagbabakuna ng Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 vaccine sa Valenzuela habang naghihintay ng karagdagang supply. (????: Valenzuela LGU) pic.twitter.com/j4yO52jgMN
— PTVph (@PTVph) August 7, 2023
Pasig City government announces the schedule of COVID-19 vaccination in the city from July 15 until July 28.
It advises residents that first, second dose and first and 2nd booster shots are available on a first come, first serve basis in its designated vaccination sites.
Among the available vaccine brands is Sinovac for 6 years old and above. It adds that there are no Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines yet for residents age 12 and above.
Schedule ng Pagbabakuna sa Pasig City |07/25/2023-07/28/2023 | First Come, First Served Basis
— Pasig Info (@PasigInfo) July 24, 2023
Tingnan ang material para sa vaccination sites kung saan makakapagpa - 1st at 2nd dose, at 1st at 2nd booster shot; at kung ano ang mga dapat dalhin sa araw ng pagbabakuna
1/3 pic.twitter.com/yqKG0S41CM
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to lead the rollout of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccination at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City. — The STAR/Helen Flores
President Marcos will lead the launch of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccination at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City on Wednesday morning. (Photo courtesy of MPC pool) | @helenmflores pic.twitter.com/wbB2An7xgg
— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) June 21, 2023
The Department of Health reminds public that they can still avail of the COVID-19 booster and bivalent booster. It reposted an infographic that determines when it is best to get the first two boosters and the bivalent booster.
Senior citizens and frontline health workers may now get their second booster shots, particularly mRNA jabs such as Moderna and Pfizer, the Department of Health announces. — Gaea Katreena Cabico
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