PH Medical Association suggests separate nat’l vaccination days for minors

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) has suggested conducting a separate national COVID-19 vaccination drive for minors.

PMA President Dr. Benito Atienza on Wednesday said that they are pushing for separate immunization centers as the COVID-19 vaccines administered to minors and adults are different.

“Sana ma-separate ‘yung bakunahan ng mga bata du’n sa adult kasi ‘yung mga adult may mga boosters—halo-halo ‘yan—first dose, second dose kasi iba ‘yung bakunang ibibigay sa mga bata pero may mga specific vials,” he said.

(Hopefully the vaccination for children is separated from the adults because doses for adults have boosters, first dose, and second dose while the children have different vials.)

He added that vaccination of children should be open on weekends so that parents are free from work.

“Kaya nga po sinasabi namin na para maiwasan ‘yung agam-agam ng mga magulang, i-separate na lang ‘yung mga bata ng vaccination centers at saka kung pwede kung Sabado para walang pasok ‘yung mga magulang para ma-enganyo po mismo ‘yung magulang ang magsasama,” Atienza said.

(To prevent hesitancy of parents, separate the vaccination centers for children and if it could be held on Saturdays so that they do not have to work and are encouraged to bring their children.)

“Wala pong rason para sabihin na, ‘may trabaho, hindi po kami makakapunta.’ Para ‘yung lahat ng nandoon sa area ay puro bata para ma-segregate pa sila at saka mailayo sila sa possibility na magkaroon ng superspreader,” he continued.

(There is no reason to say, “we have work, we cannot go there.” Everyone in the area would be children; they would be segregated and far from the possibility of having a superspreader event.)

According to the National Task Force Against COVID-19, there are 12.74 million 12- to 17-year-olds and 15.56 million children aged five to 11.

Vaccination for five- to 11-year-olds will commence on February 4.

Meanwhile, the nationwide vaccination for all minors aged 12 to 17 has started in November.

To date, the Food and Drug Administration granted Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to be used for five years old and above.

READ: Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine approved for use on those aged 12-15 – DOH

Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, meanwhile, was approved to be used for individuals aged 12 years old and above.

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