Legazpi City ––As the country started the nationwide implementation of COVID-19 vaccination for the pediatric population (ROPP) ages 12 to 17 years old starting Friday, the Department of Health in Bicol urged the public specifically the parents to submit their children for Covid-19 vaccination here.
Ernie Vera, DOH Bicol regional director, said that children aged 12 to 17 years old with or without comorbidities will be given COVID-19 vaccination here.
“With the inclusion of a certain portion of young people, some vaccination sites in the region kicks-off COVID-19 vaccination for the pediatric population. To know more about the COVID-19 vaccination for 12 to 17 years old, coordinate or inquire at your Rural Health Unit,” the health official said.
All COVID-19 vaccines are effective to prevent severe and critical forms of COVID-19, the DOH Bicol said.
The DOH Bicol identified three sites for the vaccination of children ages 12 to 17 years old such as the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH) in Legazpi City, the Bicol Medical Center (BMC) in Naga City and the Bicol Region General Hospital and Geriatric Medical Center (BRGHGMC) in Cabusao, Camarines Sur.
Based on the DOH Department Circular No. 2021-0464, a young individual with co-morbidity must secure from their attending physician or pediatrician a medical certification detailing their ailment prior to their scheduled vaccination.
This certification will have to be presented by the vaccinee at the registration area during the vaccination day.
“Only COVID-19 vaccines with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) approval issued by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be administered to children ages 12 to 17 years old. Pfizer and Moderna are two vaccines with EUA for the pediatric population.
Similarly, these vaccines shall be allocated to identified Local Vaccinations Operations Center (LVOCs), implementing units and vaccination sites, the health department in Bicol said.
Implementing guidelines for pediatric vaccination are now cascaded to LGUs and vaccination sites.
“As vaccines continue to arrive in the region, DOH Bicol encourages all Bicolanos ages 12 and above to register and submit themselves for COVID-19 vaccination,” DOH Bicol said.
The United States delivered an additional 2,098,980 doses of the safe and effective Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to the Philippines on October 31.
This brings the total vaccine doses provided to the Philippines by the American people through COVAX to more than 18.5 million.
The U.S. has also donated $4 billion to the COVAX facility. The U.S. remains committed to work together with the Philippine government in ending the COVID-19 pandemic.
Currently, the DOH Bicol reported that there are 2,585,450 total vaccines received in the region as of November 4, 2021. Out of 2,585,450 doses of vaccines received by the department, at least 1,959, 431 administered across the Bicol region. A total of 1,287,941 administered the first dose and 671,490 second dose across the region.
Among the six provinces of Bicol, Camarines Sur was given 845,096 vaccines followed by Albay with 645,932 vaccines, Sorsogon, with 360,057, Masbate, 339,389, Camarines Norte, 245,781 and Catanduanes with 149,195.
(By: Raneza Sabina Barcebal)