Tuguegarao City, Cagayan – The Department of Health on Tuesday, June 21, has approved COVID-19 booster shots for minors aged 12 to 17, however, only partial guidelines have been released so far.
The partial guidelines bared by the health department are for those who have comorbidities or the immunocompromised in the said age group.
Based on the DOH’s memo, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be used for the younger age bracket’s booster doses, citing a 0.3ml dose to be given around 28 days apart from their second vaccine shot.
As for the rest of the guidelines which are required for the operations to start, the DOH said it is yet to finalize them and are yet to be released.
For now, only the immunocompromised are set to receive their boosters at hospital based vaccination facilities in a gradual pace with a pilot operation to start in the capital region before moving nationwide.
The DOH said the National Vaccine Operations Center and its centers for health development will determine the rollout in all other regions outside NCR after the pilot immunization programs.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the immunocompromised minors must present their vaccination cards indicating dates, brands of their initial doses, a medical certificate showing their comorbidities, valid ID’s or documents with photo of their parent or guardian at the site, informed consent signed by the parent or guardian also signed by the minor to be vaccinated.
The rollout of vaccines for the said age group began in September of 2021. TNF