801 adolescents aged 12-17 get COVID-19 booster shot

 VAX FOR MINORS A boy accompanied by an adult gets a vaccine against COVID-19 at the Cainta Elementary School Auditorium in Cainta, Rizal province. —INQUIRER PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Some 800 adolescents aged 12 to 17 have received their COVID-19 booster dose, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Saturday.

The adolescents who received their booster dose are part of the A3 priority group or those classified as immunocompromised.

“According to the latest vaccination report from the [National Vaccination Operations Center], as of June 29, 2022, 801 individuals from the A3 12-17 age group have been given booster doses,” the DOH said in a statement.

To recall, the DOH initially launched the COVID-19 booster dose vaccination of immunocompromised 12- to 17-year-olds to ensure the smooth implementation of the rollout.

Booster shot administration for the rest of the age group followed as soon as vaccination centers were prepared.

“As provided for in DOH [Department Memorandum] No. 2022-0263, the roll-out of the first booster/third dose for all adolescents ages 12 to 17 may proceed as soon as the Local Vaccination Operations Centers (LVOCs), implementing units, and vaccination sites/teams are ready,” the agency said.

Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine will be used for the third dose of the adolescent population.

As of June 20, almost 9.5 million adolescents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

/MUF