Twenty-five children with comorbidities aged 12 to 17 experienced adverse reactions after receiving a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Thursday, Oct. 28.
Of the said figure, three cases are serious, said DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje.
“Yung nag severe allergy--yung tinatawag natin na (Those who experienced severe allergy or) anaphylaxis that will require injection of epinephrine while some require some oxygenation,” said Cabotaje. She said that all severe cases were properly managed.
The 22 other cases only experienced mild reactions, said Cabotaje.
“Yung ibang kaso are mild allergies, may kaunting rashes, may kaunting sakit sa injection site. But many of these, nakikita natin sa mga bata even with measles and rubella na school-based (The other cases are mild allergies, there were only a few rashes, a little pain at the injection site. But many of these, we see in children even during the school-based measles and rubella vaccination),” said Cabotaje.
The 25 cases were only a small fraction out of the 23,727 children with comorbidities aged 12 to 17 who were already vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Oct. 27.
Phase 3 of pediatric vaccination
As the government is gearing to the nationwide vaccination of children aged 12 to 17 on Nov. 3, the third phase of the pediatric vaccination will start on Oct. 29.
This means that the pediatric vaccination will be conducted to 123 hospital-based and non-hospital based vaccination sites nationwide.
“Vaccination rollout is to all regions. They may identify their vaccination sites---whether hospital-based or off-site, depending on their capacity to conduct the activities,” said Cabotaje.
To note, the Philippines is targeting to vaccinate at least 80 percent of its pediatric population aged 12 to 17 against COVID-19 by the end of this year, Cabotaje said. There are about 12.7 million children in the said age bracket in the country.
Related story:
PH aims to vaccinate 80% of minor population aged 12 to 17 vs COVID-19 by December