Iloilo City Government has opened the registration of 12-17 years old in preparation for the COVID-19 vaccination of minors.
In his Facebook page, City Mayor Jerry Trenas called on parents to pre-register their minors as the city will begin the roll-out once the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for COVID-19 gives the go-signal.
“Calling all parents and minors! The Iloilo City Government is ready to vaccinate our minors by October, once approved by the IATF.
We will open two vaccination sites for our minors who already are pre-registered and made with the consent of the parents,” Trenas posted.
On Tuesday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that the President nodded to the recommendation of vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr, on vaccination of minors starting October.
“We will also commence the vaccination of minors,” Roque said. “We expect to start their vaccination in October. That has also been approved by the President,” Roque announced.
Registration of minors
Iloilo City Government’s vaccination registration is done in barangays, business establishments, and registration areas in malls and plaza booths. Registrants need to present School ID or Parent’s or Guardian’s Consent together with registration forms available in these sites.
- SM City Iloilo (Lower Ground Floor, North Wing
- Robinsons Iloilo Main (Ground Floor, near fountain area)
- Festive Walk Iloilo Mall (2nd Floor, fronting Sunnies Eyewear Shop)
You may also pre-register at the Globe Telecom Booths:
- Jaro Plaza (beside Jaro belfry)
Monday to Saturday: 9am to 5pm; Sunday: 10am to 4pm - Lapaz Plaza (fronting La Paz Maternity)
Monday to Saturday: 9am to 5pm - Arevalo Plaza (beside Arevalo Gym)
Monday to Saturday: 9am to 5pm - Atria Mall (fronting Metro Supermarket)
Thursday to Saturday: 10am to 5pm; Sunday: 11am to 4pm.
Note: Minors should be accompanied by a parent who shall sign the consent. During vaccination, when already allowed, parents shall sign again the consent form together with the child at the vaccination site.
The metropolis has so far registered last week 4,000 out of the target 50,000 residents aged 12-17.
Mayor Jerry Treñas said the city vax teams will be preparing the process for vaccination of minors to start once Pfizer and Moderna supplies from the national government arrive. These two brands have so far been approved for use to teens by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Sinovac has also asked FDA for approval on its use for children.
Minors with comorbidities will be prioritized
The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed that pediatric vaccination will start among 12 to 17-year-olds with comorbidities as part of Priority Group A3.
“For the initial run, we recommend that children with co-morbidities will be vaccinated in selected sites with clearance from their pediatricians or trained doctors, or for far-flung or Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA), with clearance from on-site trained physicians guided by a checklist from the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP). We have to ensure that children have equitable access to vaccines. Eventually, as we get more local experience, we will be able to retool our current vaccinators on the additional precautionary steps on screening and vaccine administration,” said DOH Spokesperson and Undersecretary Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire.
Expansion beyond this group will follow once adequate coverage of the A2 priority group or senior citizens has been achieved nationwide and vaccine supply becomes sufficient to include children.
The DOH emphasized the need for a careful and planned rollout of vaccines for children. Considering that the risks of contracting severe COVID-19 infection or dying from COVID-19 is significantly lower for healthy children, it follows that the benefits from vaccination relative to the risk of a healthy child is also lower, compared to a sick child, adult or senior citizen.
In finalizing the guidelines, the DOH is ensuring that (1) informed consent by the parent /guardian and child prior to vaccination will be obtained; (2) supply availability of Pfizer and Moderna, the only vaccines with emergency use authorization for 12 to 17 years old issued by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration; and more importantly, (3) equitable access to medical clearance by a physician for children with co-morbidities. (With reports from Iloilo City PIO, DOH-6)
