The Department of Health (DOH) encourages dentists to help fast track the government’s COVID-19 vaccination drive as vaccinators, following the upcoming expanded adolescent vaccination where 12 to 17-year-olds without comorbidities will be included in the COVID-19 vaccination program.
In a statement on Thursday (Oct. 28), National Vaccine Operations Center (NVOC) Chairperson and DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said dentists will be allowed to administer COVID-19 vaccines as long as they are registered and have undergone training.
“Minamadali na po ang pagbubukas ng face to face classes ng ating eskwelahan so the 12 to 17 will be part of the K to 12 and college sa CHED. And it will also build confidence na pwede nang mag-face to face ‘yung mga nabakunahan na bata, they can now go to school.”
The adolescents without comorbidities will still be asked for a medical certificate from their physician as well as an informed consent form signed by their parents and assent from the children regarding the risk and benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The program is set to start in the National Capital Region (NCR) on Nov. 3, while the full nationwide implementation will begin on Nov. 5.
Since the government targets for the nationwide implementation of the vaccination, regular vaccination sites with a special lane for adolescent vaccination can be used.
The government aims to vaccinate more than 12.7 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 and 80% of which are targeted to be vaccinated in December.
In relation to this, the Health department reminded that guardians as well as proof of their relation to adolescents must be present.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) pointed out the importance of the adolescents’ vaccination as part of the return to face-to-face classes.
CHED Chairperson Prospero de Vera III said they do not see any vaccine hesitancy from the students. The agency considers Metro Manila as the prime candidate for the return of the face-to-face classes in all degree programs at the tertiary level due to the high vaccination rate.
As of Oct. 28, over 23,700 minors with comorbidities in NCR have received their first dose. 25 of which have experienced adverse effects where three have been recorded as serious adverse events.
Report from Mark Fetalco/NGS-rir
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