By Pearl Gumapos
The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday (Feb. 19) reported that the government has vaccinated almost 400,000 children aged five to 11 years old across the country.
“Para doon sa 5 to 11 years old natin, we already have 395,000 na kabataan na nabigyan na natin ng initial dose or one dose natin,” DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during the Laging Handa public briefing.
She also gave updates on the vaccination of 12 to 17 year olds, saying that 9.4 million minors in the said age group have been vaccinated.
“Ang ating total population na tinitignan sa 12 to 17 years old would be 12.7 million. So, mayroon na tayong 73.9% for the first dose. For the second dose ng 12 to 17 years old, mayroon tayong 8.2 million children which is about 64.9% based on the targeted 12.7 million individuals,” she said.
Meanwhile, on the rollout of booster shots for minors aged 12 to 17 years old, Vergeire said experts continue to study the available data on the matter.
“Hanggang ngayon, patuloy ang pag-aaral at pag-uusap ng ating mga eksperto ukol dito kasi globally po ay wala pang sapat na ebidensiya para bigyan ng booster ang ating 12 to 17 years old,” she said.
“Ang pamahalaan natin ay nakahanda tayo. Once completed evidence is available, mayroon na tayong nakalaan na budget at saka mayroon na tayong negotiations for that if ever,” she added. -ag
