Here’s some good news to lift the spirits: the nationwide rollout of COVID-19 vaccination among all children aged 12 to 17 will commence starting November 3. According to the Department of Health (DOH), the move was announced after the first phase of the pediatric vaccination, wherein only minors with comorbidities were allowed to be vaccinated.
The DOH revealed that there are over 12.7 minors aged 12 to 17 in the country in 2021. So far, 18,666 minors with comorbidities received their first dose of vaccine during the initial phase of the pediatric vaccination in the NCR.
“Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will still be used among children during the nationwide rollout. Further details and the guidelines with regard to the nationwide expansion of pediatric vaccination will be released once finalized,” said DOH Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire.
In the meantime, the DOH is encouraging the adult population, especially those belonging to priority groups A2 and A3, to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to achieve the cocoon effect which protects the children at home. Given that getting jabbed provides people and those around them with some protection from the COVID-19 virus, more people definitely should.
However, there has been a challenge when it comes to the rolling out of doses. Given that the Department of Education (DepEd) is looking to hold in-person classes, it only makes sense that children should be allowed to get vaccinated.
Getting vaccinated may not necessarily mean you won’t get COVID-19, but it provides some protection. So far, over 30 million Filipinos have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, with a total of 26 million being fully vaccinated against the virus. Let’s hope more people get vaxxed for their protection. People’s lives may depend on them.
Art Daniella Sison
