Assent of minors, parents’ consent needed for COVID-19 vaccination

FILE Children from Agoncillo town in Batangas who were displaced by the eruption of Taal Volcano were busy coloring COVID-19 flyers provided by social workers. Minors aged 12 to 17 may soon be inoculated against COVID-19. — NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health will require the assent of minors and consent of their parents or guardian before the former could get vaccinated against COVID-19, Health Undersecretaru Myrna Cabotaje said Wednesday.

Cabotaje these requirements will form part of the guidelines for the vaccination of minors and the general population, which the government is eyeing to commence by October.

The DOH is still finalizing the guidelines and is expected to release it to the public by next week, she added.

“Dapat alam ng bata kung ano ‘yung ibibigay sa kanya. Pagpunta sa bakunahan, ‘yung mga bata dapat kasama ‘yung guardian or parent,” she said.

(The minor should know what he or she will receive. When they go to the vaccination centers, they should be accompanied by their parents or guardians.)

The government will prioritize minors with pre-existing health conditions and comorbidities.

The government is eyeing to start the expansion of the vaccination program on Oct. 15, piloting it in Metro Manila first before expanding to other regions and areas.

“Uumpisahan ang pagbabakuna sa may mga comorbidities, ‘yung may mga medical complexities. May mga heart, respiratory, kidney at saka may iba’t ibang problems,” she said in a Laging Handa public briefing.

(We will start the vaccination of minors with comorbidities, those with medical complexities. Those with heart, respiratory, kidney, and other health problems.)

Minors should present their medical certificates in vaccination centers before they could get inoculated.

President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the vaccination of the general population and minors by October.

The vaccination of minors would cover those aged 12 to 17.

So far, only US-made COVID-19 vaccines Pfizer and Moderna are approved by the Food and Drug Administration to be used on minors.

The government has so far only prioritized the COVID-19 vaccination of health workers (A1), senior citizens (A2), persons with comorbidities (A3), economic fronliners (A4) and indigent citizens (A5).

EDV