FILE PHOTO: A health worker prepares a dose of the BioNTech Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine during a vaccination for seafarers at a stadium in Manila on July 15, 2021. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — The local governments of Taguig, Pateros, and Manila have opened their pre-registration for COVID-19 vaccination of children aged 5 to 11.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, the Taguig City government said listing for pediatric COVID-19 vaccination of the said age group is now open through the Taguig Registry for Access and Citizen Engagement (Trace).
The local government unit (LGU) said registration can be accomplished at the trace.taguig.gov.ph or Trace kiosks in barangay halls.
“For ages 5 to 11 years old, Taguig City will commence COVID-19 vaccination for this age group as soon as the Department of Health (DOH) releases guidelines,” it said.
Meanwhile, Pateros said in a Facebook post on Tuesday urged parents to register their children for inoculation against COVID-19 through the provided QR code.
Similarly, Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso had urged parents and guardians of children aged 5 to 11 to register as early as now for the anti-COVID shot.
The Food and Drug Administration earlier approved the use of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children within the said age group.
READ: FDA okays use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children 5-11 years old
However, the DOH clarified that COVID-19 vaccination for this population has not yet started. At present, the pediatric vaccination is still being provided for minors aged 12 to 17.
“Preparations are still underway for the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines for the said age group. The National COVID-19 Vaccination Operations Center will announce the exact start date as soon as COVID-19 vaccines suitable for ages 5 to 11 and its appropriate syringes become available,” the DOH said.
“While waiting for COVID-19 vaccines to be rolled out for this pediatric group, we recommend that children complete their routine vaccination to be protected from more contagious and fatal diseases, like measles, rubella, tetanus, and diphtheria,” it added.