DESPITE the proposal of vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., the Department of Health yesterday continued to express reservations about administering COVID-19 vaccines on children aged 12 to 17 years.
It said it needs adequate scientific basis before allowing the vaccination, and its experts are still deliberating on recommendations.
“We support providing children aged 12-17 with additional protection provided that their safety is ensured,” it said in a statement.
The DOH also said there is a need to consider the stability of the vaccine supply.
“The Department would like to underscore the importance of prioritizing the most vulnerable such as senior citizens and persons with comorbidities,” it added.
On Wednesday, Galvez proposed to President Duterte that government start the vaccination of minors aged 12 to 17 by mid-October, giving priority to minors with comorbidities and children of health workers.
Galvez, in a report to President Duterte, said he expects a steady delivery of vaccines this and next month.
He said 23.75 million doses of vaccines are expected to arrive next month, aside 20 million additional doses that the government procured, and which can be given to the minors.
Some local governments have started the pre-registration of minors.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for 12 years and older.
The DOH has launched an online survey on adolescent vaccination and is encouraging children aged 12 to 17 years and parents to participate.
“The survey aims to determine the perception, willingness, and factors affecting the will of getting vaccinated among adolescents and their parents,” said the DOH.
It said the results of the survey will be used for the deliberations of vaccine experts on pediatric vaccination.
The DOH said the results will also guide the efforts in advocacy and communications to appraise the overall COVID-19 vaccine deployment plan.
Interested individuals may participate in the survey by visiting the link: bit.ly/CovidVaccineSurvey_Main.
About 42.66 million doses of vaccines have been administered as of September 22, with 19.376 million or 25.12 percent of the eligible population already fully vaccinated.
In Metro Manila, 15.08 million vaccines have been administered, with 6.76 million or 69.16 million of the targeted population fully vaccinated.
A total of 64.94 million doses of vaccines have been delivered in the country since February, a month before the government launched the COVID-19 national vaccination program.
In Quezon City, Mayor Belmonte ordered the city’s health department to vaccinate 594 individuals who are residing and working in closed and long-term care facilities.
She said there are 13 facilities in the city with 1,027 employees and clients, and 584 are among those still unvaccinated.
The facilities include orphanages and apostolate and rehabilitation centers.
On Wednesday, eight nuns at the Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM) Convent in the city died. They were among 62 who tested positive for COVID-19.
The Bureau of Immigration said 1,875 of its personnel, or at least 50 percent, have been vaccinated, including those deployed at international airports and seaports
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said his office is pushing for the vaccination of all BI personnel.
The virus has infected over 500 immigration personnel, with four fatalities. The bulk of the infected are assigned at the airports while 197 report to the main office in Intramuros, Manila. — With Jocelyn Montemayor, Noel Talacay and Ashzel Hachero
