By Nanette Guadalquiver / Philippine News Agency
The Bacolod City government will administer COVID-19 jabs to children aged 12 to 17 without comorbidities at two shopping malls starting Nov. 3.
The Emergency Operations Center-Task Force (EOC) confirmed this on Saturday (Oct. 30), after the launch of the inoculation for pediatric A3 priority group or minors with comorbidities on Oct. 29.
This coming Wednesday, the vaccination for the general 12-to-17-year-old population will be held at the SMX Convention Center inside SM City Bacolod and Ayala Malls Capitol Central.
“The city government is implementing a phased approach in formulating strategies for the rollout in regular vaccination centers,” said Em Ang, executive director of the EOC task force and coordinator of the city’s COVID-19 vaccination council.
On Friday, about 300 minors in the pediatric A3 priority group received Pfizer shots at the Riverside College annex building behind Dr. Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital.
Ang said pediatric A3 vaccinations are held at hospital-based sites, which have the capacity to manage vaccinees with possible adverse reactions to vaccines, and to ensure close monitoring and facilitate easy referral of patients.
The inoculation of minors with comorbidities will continue on Nov. 3 and 4 also at the Riverside College annex.
Pediatric A3 vaccination focuses on minors diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), cancer, and tuberculosis, among others, as well as those who have Down syndrome, who will receive only Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, according to the Department of Health.
As of Oct. 29, some 5,776 children in this city have registered for COVID-19 vaccination online through https://tinyurl.com/bcdceirminors. (PNA) – jlo
