With less than a week before the government begins administering COVID-19 vaccines to children five to 11 years old, a total of 168,355 individuals have already registered for the program.
In the Jan. 29 Laging Handa briefing, Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said preparations are underway for the program which will initially be rolled out from Feb. 4 to 11.
“Ang ating target ay 15.5 million, iyan po ang nasa datos ng PSA [Philippine Statistics Authority]. Pero gagawin natin by tranches kasi depende sa bakuna na dadating,” she said.
“Ang datos na ibinigay sa atin ng ating mga local government units ay umaabot na sa 168,355 pero hindi ibig sabihin na naka-concentrate lang o sila lang ang bibigyan, i-e-expand natin ito habang dumadami ang bakuna na dumarating sa ating bansa,” she added.
The government has already identified 32 sites for the vaccination, including the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, National Children’s Hospital, and the Philippine Heart Center.
“Sa mga lokal na pamahalaan kagaya ng sabi ko, 1 to 3 sites ay naka-identify ng ospital, may naka-identify na mga parke, may naka-identify din na mga schools,” Cabotaje said.
Parents and guardians of vaccinees were reminded to bring complete requirements such as birth certificate and proof of filiation.
“Tapos sa mga batang 7 [years old] and above may assent form, ibig sabihin nasabihan iyong magbabakuna na pumapayag siya. Iyong 7 [ years old] below, responsibilidad na ng kanyang magulang,” she said. – With reports from Louisa Erispe -ag
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