Caloocan begins vaccinating minors with no comorbidities

By: Zacarian Sarao - 3 years ago

Caloocan Mayor Oscar Malapitan (Photo from his Facebook page)

MANILA, Philippines — The city of Caloocan on Wednesday began the inoculation of minors aged 12 to 17 with no comorbidities, or those part of the general pediatric population, against COVID-19.

According to Caloocan Mayor Oscar Malapitan in a statement, seven schools serving as vaccination hubs inoculated minors with no comorbidities during the city’s vaccination campaign.

“Kasama ang kanilang mga magulang o guardian, tinitiyak na sumasailalim ang mga menor de edad sa registration, screening, counselling, vaccination at monitoring,” said Malapitan.

(Together with their parents or guardians, we ensure that minors undergo registration, screening, counseling, vaccination and monitoring.)

Meanwhile, Minors with comorbidities and residents studying outside Caloocan will be accommodated at the Caloocan City Medical Center and Caloocan City North Medical Center, where each will offer 400 slots for the vaccination.

Minors and guardians accompanying them are required to present a birth certificate and a valid ID before the injection — those with comorbidities will also be required a medical certificate.

Pfizer and Moderna are currently the only allowed COVID-19 vaccines approved by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration for children aged 12-17 years.

The Department of Health earlier said that the country has approximately 1.2 million children ages 12 to 17 with comorbidities.

“Patuloy na hinihikayat ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ang mga magulang o guardian na pabakunahan ang mga anak na kabilang sa nasabing age group para sa kanilang proteksyon at bilang paghahanda sakaling ibalik na ang face-to-face classes,” said Malapitan.

(The City Government continues to encourage parents or guardians to vaccinate children belonging to this age group for their protection and preparation for the return of face-to-face classes.)

As of Nov. 3, the country has a total of 2,793,898 confirmed COVID-19 infections. This includes 38,014 active cases, 2,712,298 recoveries and 43,586 deaths.