GOVERNMENT is eyeing a “mini rollout” of the vaccination program for children aged five to 11 years on February 1 to 7 with the expected delivery this month of vaccines reformulated for the age group, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said yesterday.
Galvez, in an interview with ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo, said Pfizer has committed to deliver the reformulated vaccines by January 31 instead of next month.
“So before iyung week nang February 7, February 1 to 7 baka dun na tayo mag-simula ng mini-rollout (So before the week of February 7, February 1 to that could be the dates to start the ng mini roll out),” he said
Galvez said the government procured 15 million doses of pediatric vaccines and is negotiating for another 10 million doses.
He said the government aims to inoculate 15.56 million five to 11-year-olds within the first quarter and administer booster shots by the end of the second quarter.
He said the vaccination of the younger age group is in anticipation of the reopening of face-to-face classes and lifting of restrictions on children.
Galvez reiterated that the government is also eyeing the full vaccination of some 10.2 million 12 to 17-year-olds in the first quarter and start their booster by April.
There are around 12.74 million 12 to 17-year-olds and about 6.2 million are now fully vaccinated.
Galvez also said the government is talking with vaccine manufacturers for the supply of vaccines for the zero-to-four-year-old group as they plan to start the vaccination by April.
Only Pfizer has been issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the five to 11-year-old group and the 12 to 17-year-old group while Moderna has been granted an amended EUA to include the 12 to 17-year-olds. Sinovac, which has reportedly been preparing pediatric vaccines, has not been issued an amended EUA by the Food and Drug Administration.
ONSITE VAX SITES
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said onsite vaccination will be set up for construction workers in the city government’s various infrastructure projects as part of the overall measures to fight COVID-19.
Moreno said more 1,000 construction workers will benefit from the onsite vaccination. He said the schedule for the vaccination of construction workers would be set by the city’s health department and department of engineering and public works.
Moreno said among ongoing city-funded projects are six residential buildings to house informal settlers, including the Tondominium 1 and 2 and the P110-million President Corazon C. Aquino General Hospital in Baseco compound in Tondo.
Also under construction are the 234-classroom Dr. Alejandro Albert Elementary School in Sampaloc and the Manila Science High School.
Moreno also announced booster shot, drive-thru vaccination for the general population who are owners of four-wheel vehicles will start today.
“First come, first served po tayo sa Quirino Grandstand sa Luneta for the first 300 vehicles, with a maximum of five individuals per vehicle,” he said.
It will start at 8 a.m. to 5p.m.
Earlier, the city government also conducted a COVID-19 booster shot for drivers and delivery workers bringing their goods to Manila.
In Quezon City, the local government said it will give P2,000 as incentive to vendors who will get vaccinated.
“Most markets vendors cannot leave their stalls because of possible loss of income, so to encourage them to take a day off to get vaccinated, we will provide them with incentives,” said Mayor Joy Belmonte. — With Ashzel Hachero and Noel Talacay
