Bacolod minors with comorbidities qualified for vaccination starting November 5

Bacolod City will start vaccinating minors with comorbidities against COVID-19 on November 5.

The Emergency Operations Center – Task Force (EOC-TF) said in a statement on Wednesday, October 20, that the “Pediatric A3” group includes persons aged 12 to 17 years old with preexisting health conditions that make them vulnerable to severe COVID-19 infection.

“We have waited long for the vaccination of minors. The Department of Health (DOH) has given its green light for ‘Pediatric A3,’ and we are more than ready to officially start the rollout and get them vaccinated against COVID-19,” the EOC statement said. The vaccination of minors, it added, is part of the protection of “high-risk or vulnerable groups.”

The Pediatric A3 group includes minors with HIV, cancer, and tuberculosis, among others. Minors who have down syndrome are also qualified to get inoculated under this category.

Only Moderna or Pfizer vaccines will be administered to these minors, the DOH added.

“We are now masterlisting 12 to 17-year-old kids in preparation for the rollout of vaccines for Pediatric A3 on November 5,” said EOC Executive Director Em Ang.

Parents of minors under the Pediatric A3 group may register their children through this link.

Meanwhile, the DOH is advising minors who do not belong to the Pediatric A3 group to continue following COVID-19 health protocols, like wearing face masks, social distancing, and hand hygiene.

Dr. Chris Sorongon, the EOC’s deputy for medical and data analysis, said the city government aims to vaccinate more than 100,000 minors aged 12 to 17.

“The EOC had coordinated with public and private schools for the master listing of our minor population aged 12 to 17,” added Sorongon.

Bacolod City continues its round-the-clock vaccination, allowing walk-ins for the adult population willing to get vaccinated. As of October 16, the city government has already inoculated 213,828 out of 422,000 target adults, or about 50% of its adult population (those aged 18 years old and above). – Rappler.com