The Department of Health (DOH) said that the first day of COVID-19 pediatric vaccination in the country on Friday, Oct. 15, was successful.
“Naging matagumpay po ang naging simula ng vaccination rollout for our pediatric population with comorbidities kahapon (The start of the vaccination rollout for our pediatric population with comorbidities yesterday was a success),” said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Saturday, Oct. 16, during a public press briefing.
Vergeire said that a total of 1,151 children with comorbidities aged 12 to 17 were vaccinated against COVID-19 during the first day.
“According to reports, wala tayong (we have no) untoward adverse reactions among these children vaccinated,” she said.
There are around 1.2 million children with comorbidities from ages 12 to 17 in the country, the DOH said.
The pediatric vaccination is being conducted initially in eight hospitals in Metro Manila: Philippine Children's Medical Center, National Children's Hospital, Philippine Heart Center, Pasig City Children's Hospital, Fe Del Mundo Medical Center, St. Luke's Medical Center (Bonifacio Global City), Makati Medical Center, and Philippine General Hospital.
“The initial run of the vaccination will be conducted in hospitals where children will be screened and monitored by doctors, and facilitating referrals will be easier in case of serious adverse events following immunization,” the DOH said.
Meanwhile, the DOH encouraged the adult population to get vaccinated.
“While the pilot implementation of pediatric vaccination has started, the DOH continuously encourages the adult population, especially the senior citizens, to get vaccinated as soon as the vaccines are available in their area,” it said.
“DOH likewise urges everyone, even the fully-vaccinated, to continue practicing minimum public health standards to protect from getting infected and infecting others with COVID-19,” it added.