ILOILO City – This city targets to pilot pediatric vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) next week.
Mayor Jerry Treñas requested the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) to allow the pilot vaccination starting Oct. 19.
The IATF-MEID has yet to respond, as of press time.
Around 5,000 children aged 12 to 17 years old have already pre-registered.
The Department of Health (DOH) earlier said pediatric vaccination will start with those with comorbidities (Priority Group A3).
Expansion beyond this group will follow once adequate coverage of the A2 group (senior citizens) has been achieved nationwide and vaccine supply becomes sufficient.
According to Treñas, school heads here backed the vaccination of students.
The vaccination of children, according to Treñas, is also in preparation for the possible resumption of face-to-faces classes.
Almost all teachers were also vaccinated, said the mayor.
“Our vaccination teams will be preparing for the vaccination of minors once Pfizer and Moderna supplies from the national government arrive. They have been approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration,” said Treñas.
The city will also accommodate those from other provinces who are studying in the metro, according to Treñas.
Their school identification cards and guardian/parent’s consent are needed.
DOH-6 spokesperson, Dr. Bea Camille Natalaray earlier said while there is no exact date yet when the vaccination will be allowed, the regional office encourages local government units to start master-listing children./PN