The vaccination against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) of the general adult population in the Philippines has already begun, the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday, Oct. 11.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the Philippines now has enough supply of COVID-19 vaccines for the vaccination of adult population, citing vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.
“Amin lamang ia-anunsyo ang pagsisimula ng COVID-19 vaccination sa general adult population (We are announcing the start of the COVID-19 vaccination of the general adult population),” Vergeire said in a virtual briefing.
The health official noted that the guidelines for the vaccination of general adult population are based on the resolution of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) and a DOH memorandum issued earlier.
“Itong ating pagbabakuna sa general population ay nag-uumpisa na o pwede nang umpisahan ngayon (Our vaccination for the general population is already starting or can start now) among our adult population,” Vergeire said in a virtual briefing.
Priority groups
With this, the Health department reiterated its call to prioritize senior citizens and those with comorbidities in the vaccination for they are most vulnerable to the dreaded disease.
“The DOH continues to call for priority to be given to senior citizens and people with comorbidities because they are the most vulnerable to the severe symptoms of COVID-19 that could lead to hospitalization and death,” Vergeire said.
Under the A2 priority group for vaccination are senior citizens aged 60 and above, while people with comorbidities or those with medical conditions belong to the A3 priority group.
Likewise, the DOH urged local government units to setup dedicated lanes for the elderly and those with health risks.
“The rest of the adult population, maaari nang magpabakuna (can now get vaccinated). Let’s prioritize also senior citizens and those with comorbidities),” Vergeire said.
She added that it is up to local governments whether to open the vaccination for walk-in or require registration.
Pediatric vaccination
Meanwhile, the Health department is preparing for the vaccination of children aged 12 to 17 with comorbidities against COVID-19, which will start on Oct. 15.
“Logistics are being prepared already,” Vergeire said, adding that hospitals participating in the pilot vaccination of adolescence are being readied, as well as its personnel.
She noted that vaccines with mRNA platform such as Pfizer and Moderna will be used for the initial vaccination of the pediatric sector.