Presenting parents’ or guardians’ consent before allowing the vaccination of kids aged 5 to 11 against the coronavirus disease-2019 is a “requirement.’’
This was stressed by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on Sunday, Feb. 6, as he expressed full support for some local chief executives (LCE) strict adherence to the prerequisite.
“Parent's consent is a requirement before any child is administered with COVID vaccine,’’ Año said.
The DILG chief made the comment after Quezon City Mayor Josefina "Joy" Belmonte, Valenzuela City Mayor Rexlon "Rex" Gatchalian, Malabon City Mayor Antolin "Lenlen" Oreta III and Navotas City Mayor Tobias "Toby" Tiangco issued this condition in separate orders despite the assurance of Vaccine Czar Carlito Galvez Jr. to the public that the COVID jabs are ‘safe and have been studied by scientists across the globe.’’
The four mayors insisted they have the responsibility to guide and protect their respective constituents.
The vaccination of children aged 5 to 11 will start on Feb. 7 with an estimated 167,000 now registered for the process as the government aims to get 15.5 million kids inoculated.
Año said the consent of the parents whose children will undergo the vaccines is something that should be done.
On Jan. 31, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya explained that the vaccination of minors will be done on a phase by phase basis.
The DILG spokesperson also reminded the parents of the 5 to 11 year old minors with comorbidities who wish their children to be vaccinated to present the medical clearance from their doctors and bring their proof of relationship referring to the child’s birth certificate. (Chito A. Chavez)