This developed as the country intensified its fight against the coronavirus and with the emergence of the more contagious Omicron variant.
Galvez in his report to President Rodrigo Duterte during a meeting on government’s COVID-19, he said interventions, pediatric vaccination could start on February 4 as the government expects the delivery of vaccines for minors next week.
The vaccine czar said a memorandum guidance will be issued this week and town hall meetings, as well as series of training will also be conducted by the Department of Health (DOH) in preparation for immunizing minors five to 11 years old.
“Mr. President, prepared na po tayo sa vaccination ng five to 11 years old. Last January ay nagkaroon po tayo ng live orientation ng pagbabakuna ang US Embassy ng mga bata sa ganitong edad,” he said.
Galvez said that similar orientations will be held in other regions.
He assured that the pediatric vaccination is “very safe,” noting that a lower dosage will be given to children.
“Makaka-assure po tayo sa ating mga magulang na very safe ang ating gagamitin na bakuna dahil ito ay mas mababa ang formulation na angkop para sa mga bata. Kaya kung makikita po natin sa vials may color coding, ‘yung orange at saka po ‘yung purple. Iyong orange po para po sa five to 11 years old,” he said.
Galvez said the first leg of pediatric vaccination, which was for children aged 12 to 17, has also made the country more prepared and more experienced in handling vaccine rollout for minors.
He said the capacity building of vaccination teams, vaccination site preparation, and vaccine site inspections also form part of the country’s preparation for the pediatric vaccine rollout.
To expedite the vaccination of minors, two vaccination sites will be opened immediately in Metro Manila and gradually expand throughout the country by opening both hospital and non-hospital vaccination sites in different regions.
He said the Philippines aims to inoculate up to 39 million minors aged zero to 17 years.
Galvez said pediatric vaccination is part of the Duterte administration’s strategy to acquire a “wall of protection” against the deadly coronavirus disease that will ensure population immunity against any COVID-19 strain or mutation. Other strategies include the booster shot program and vaccine rollout in pharmacies, he said.
He said the administration of boosters, which has a three-month interval between doses, will prevent the vaccine’s efficacy from waning, while vaccine rollout in pharmacies and clinics will expand the vaccination even in far-flung locations where pharmacists will be authorized to administer the jabs for walk-in vaccination.
Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, who was present during the meeting, wants the government to incentivize pharmacies and clinics participating in the vaccination drive to entice more establishments to join. Go is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health.
As of January 24, at least 59.7 million Filipinos or 76.2 percent of the target population have received the first dose of COVID-19 jab, while 57.2 million individuals or 73.33 percent of the target population are fully vaccinated.
On the other hand, 8.72 percent of the target population have received booster shots. (with PND)
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