Vax rollout for 5-11 age group yet to start, DOH clarifies

By Johanna Marie O. Bajenting

THE Department of Health (DOH) clarified that vaccination for children ages five to 11 has not yet started.

The health department said preparations are still underway for the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccination of this age group.

“The National Covid-19 Vaccination Operations Center will announce the exact start date as soon as Covid-19 vaccines suitable for ages five to 11 and its appropriate syringes become available,” the DOH said in a statement on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021.

But as the country waits for Covid-19 vaccines to be rolled out for this pediatric group, the DOH said it recommends that children complete their routine immunization to be protected from more contagious and fatal diseases, like measles, rubella, tetanus and diphtheria.

The Visayas Vaccination Operations Center (VVOC) said they welcomed the Food and Drug Administration approval for ages five to 11 for the Covid-19 vaccine.

“This is a welcome development. This means we can now start vaccinating another set of vulnerable populations, our children,” VVOC spokesperson Dr. Mary Jean Loreche said.

For Cebu, Loreche said they need to get the numbers from the local government unit for the number of children in this age group to be eligible for vaccination.

“But considering the challenges with power and connectivity, we might have to wait awhile,” she said.

Loreche said the tentative date for the resumption of the vaccination operations may be scheduled after the new year.

However, she noted there are LGUs that are not as badly affected that are still doing vaccination.