The Philippines on Oct. 15 expanded its COVID vaccination program to minors aged 12 to 17, as it moved to thwart future outbreaks.
The country, which ranked at the bottom of pandemic response indices of Bloomberg and Nikkei, has fully vaccinated 23 million people as of early October, versus the target 90% of its 109 million population.
Minors with comorbidities will be first in line and there is enough supply for all 1.2 million of them, of which 144,123 are in Metro Manila, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez had said.
Here's what you need to know about COVID-19 vaccination for minors:
Who can get vaccinated?
Those aged 12 to 17 only with underlying health conditions like Down Syndrome, HIV, cancer, tuberculosis, and others will be prioritized. They are part of the A3 priority group, specifically "Pediatric A3."
Other children and teens could soon be included in the vaccination program once the country secures more supplies of jabs, the DOH had said.
Which vaccine brand will they get?
So far, only Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are allowed for those under Pediatric A3 priority list. The two vaccines have emergency use authority from the Food and Drug Administration for aged 12-17.
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12 to 15 Year-Olds with Comorbidities Can Get Pfizer COVID Vaccine, Says DOH
FDA Clears Moderna Vaccine for Emergency Use on 12 to 17 Year-Olds
How to register minors for vaccines?
Contact your child's pediatrician or hospital to book a schedule for vaccination.
What do they need to bring on vaccine day?
The child's parent or guardian should be present during the vaccination. They will be asked to present the following:
- Medical certificate from the child's pediatrician or physician which details their comorbidities (Click this link for the medical certificate template)
- Document showing the parent or guardian's relationship with the child
- Valid ID of the child and of the parent or guardian with photo (e.g. passport)
Where can we get our child vaccinated?
Eight hospitals in Metro Manila were chosen for phase 1 of vaccination for minors:
- National Children’s Hospital (Quezon City)
- Philippine Heart Center (Quezon City)
- Pasig City Children’s Hospital (Pasig)
- Fe Del Mundo Medical Center (Quezon City)
- Philippine General Hospital (Manila)
- Makati Medical Center (Makati)
- St. Luke’s Medical Center (Taguig)
- Philippine Children’s Medical Center (Quezon City)
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