Navotas sets ‘Vax 1, Take 1’ for minors, parents

MANILA, Philippines — Despite high vaccination rates in Navotas, the city government has reintroduced its previous tack of giving another COVID-19 jab to companions of vaccinees.

This time, minors aged 12 to 17 and their parents or guardians who have not been inoculated can get their Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines in the “Vax 1, Take 1” program.

They would have to sign up online at covax.navotas.gov.ph and submit pertinent documents like identification cards, birth certificate and medical certificate for minors with medical issues, the city government said yesterday.

Another adult must accompany both the teen and the unvaccinated parent or guardian, it added.

The “Vax 1, Take 1” program began in July, targeting both senior citizens and their adult companions to be inoculated with the single-dose Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.

8,695 QC minors vaxxed

In Quezon City, data from the city government showed that 8,695 minors, including those with comorbidities, have so far been inoculated against COVID-19 since the start of pediatric vaccination last month.

Pediatric vaccination of minors without comorbidities started at five sites across the city yesterday. Nine more sites will be activated throughout the week.

This is on top of the hospitals that accommodate minors with comorbidities living or studying in the city.

According to the city government, over 41,500 minors aged 12 to 17 have so far registered in the online vaccination system.

Mayor Joy Belmonte earlier stressed the importance of vaccinating minors, noting that they comprise about 30 percent of the city’s approximately 3.1 million population.

For mental health

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno yesterday visited the general pediatric vaccination for minors aged 12-17, as he expressed hope that children can go out and play again after getting their COVID-19 jabs.

In a chance interview, Moreno said it is time for minors to get inoculated ahead of the opening of face-to-face classes.

The pandemic lockdowns have adversely affected the mental well-being of children, he added.

“Children are affected psychologically and emotionally because of the lockdowns. I want them to be able to go outside and play on the streets, go to the malls, or go back to schools and to their normal lives,” Moreno said in Filipino.

At least 500 doses were offered each at Sta. Ana Hospital, Ospital ng Maynila, Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center, Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital, Ospital ng Sampaloc and Ospital ng Tondo.

Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan administered jabs to eligible minors at Sta. Ana Hospital. – Janvic Mateo, Marc Jayson Cayabyab