DOH: Nearly 19,000 minors with comorbidities get vaccinated vs COVID

FILE PHOTO: A healthcare worker prepares a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, which was authorized to be used for children. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio

MANILA, Philippines — Nearly 19,000 children with age ranging from 12 to 17 and with comorbidities have so far received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday.

According to the DOH, a total of 18,666 minors with comorbidities have been vaccinated during the initial phase of the pediatric vaccination in Metro Manila.

There are around 12.7 million children aged 12 to 17 in the country, the DOH said, citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Earlier in the day, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said that the nationwide rollout of COVID-19 vaccine for all children aged 12 to 17 will start on November 3.

“Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will still be used among children during the nationwide rollout. Further details and the guidelines with regard to the nationwide expansion of pediatric vaccination will be released once finalized,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire also said in a statement.

The government is currently implementing the second phase of COVID-19 vaccination for minors aged 12 to 17 with comorbidities in Metro Manila. The pilot rollout was launched on October 15.

According to the DOH, phase 3 of the pediatric vaccination will start on October 29.

JPV