By Pearl Gumapos
Dr. Drew Camposano from the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society of the Philippines (PIDSP) on Monday (Oct. 11) said pediatric vaccination for COVID-19 will begin with 15 to 17-year-olds with comorbidities.
“Uunahin muna iyong 15 to 17 over the 12 to 14, kasi siyempre mas matanda po sila. Kasi alam natin sa COVID, the older you get, the higher your risk of getting severe disease. Sa ngayon A3 muna ang uunahin natin — ‘yung mga batang may comorbidity,” Camposano said during the Laging Handa public briefing.
Camposano then listed the comorbidities for a minor’s vaccination.
Included in the list are the following: congenital disorders, genetic conditions, neurologic conditions like seizures, metabolic endocrine diseases like diabetes and hypothyroidism, heart disorders, obese patients, tuberculosis, chronic respiratory diseases like asthma, renal diseases, those with HIV, and those undergoing chemotherapy.
The legal guardian will be informed about the vaccination and they will have to sign their consent.
The child who will be vaccinated will also be informed and will sign their assent.
The list of patients to be vaccinated will come from the hospitals as they will be the ones to identify the comorbidities.
Camposano says a town hall meeting will be held for healthcare workers and parents of minors who will be vaccinated. – bny
