Completion of COVID-19 vaccination among minors possible by 1st quarter of 2022 --DOH

The Department of Health (DOH) said there is a possibility to fully vaccinate all the eligible adolescent population in the country against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) by the first quarter of 2022.
The Philippines is set to roll out the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination for 12 to 17 years old on Nov. 3. The DOH said there are about 12.7 million children in that said age group.
"Kung 100 percent ng 12.7 million, baka yan ay umabot ng Enero, first quarter ng 2022, (If 100 percent of 12.7 million, that might be by January, first quarter of 2022)” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III in an interview with DZBB radio on Sunday, Oct. 30.
“Pero 80 percent, iyan ang pinupuntirya natin na makamit by the end of the year ng mga 12 to 17 years of age (But we are aiming to vaccinate at least 80 percent by the end of the year for those 12 to 17 years of age),” he added.
Duque also said that they are also allowing dentists to help in the inoculation activities to fast-track the vaccination drive.
“Meron na tayong mga pinahintulutan na maging vaccinators, may mga dentista---lahat ng dentista ay binigyan na natin ng go signal na pwede na silang magbakuna. Pati yung mga medical clerks and interns.... So marami tayong madadadag na vaccinators (We already have those who are allowed to be vaccinators, there are dentists --- we have given all dentists the go signal. Even the medical clerks and interns.... So we will have many more vaccinators),” he said.
To note, a total of 23,727 children with comorbidities aged 12 to 17 already got their first dose since the program started last Oct. 15.