More than 1,000 children with comorbidities aged 12 to 17 received their first dose of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, the Department of Health (DOH) reported. This as the government commenced the pilot run of pediatric vaccination on Friday, Oct. 15.
“As of 4 p.m., the National Vaccine Operations Center (NVOC) reported a total of 1,031 children inoculated,” the DOH said in a statement.
The DOH said that the “majority” of those who were vaccinated came from the Philippine Heart Center, Makati Medical Center, St. Luke's Medical Center - Global City, and Pasig City Children's Hospital.
The other hospitals that were also conducting vaccination include the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, National Children’s Hospital, Fe Del Mundo Medical Center, and Philippine General Hospital.
The DOH estimates that there are around 1.2 million children with comorbidities from ages 12 to 17 in the country.
The DOH said that children with the following comorbidities are eligible for vaccination: medical complexity (those with long term dependence on technical support), genetic conditions, neurologic conditions, metabolic/endocrine diseases, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, HIV infection, tuberculosis, chronic respiratory diseases, renal disorders, hepatobiliary diseases, and immunocompromised due to disease or treatment.
“Sa ating pagbibigay proteksyon sa mga kabataang ito, atin ring mapoproteksyonan ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay. Sa ating mga magulang at mga kabataan, kayo ay aming hinihikayat na makilahok sa pagbabakunang ito (As we give protection to these young people, we can also protect their loved ones. To our parents and the youth, we encourage you to participate in this vaccination),” said DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III.