The pilot COVID-19 vaccination of minors aged 12 to 17 in Iloilo City is set to start on Friday, Oct. 29.
Mayor Jerry Treñas said the ceremonial pediatric vaccination will be conducted in Saint Paul’s Hospital Iloilo.
“We really welcome this development because we really have to give protection to children aged 12 to 17 years old from COVID-19 infection,” said Treñas.
According to City COVID-19 Team focal person Dr. Roland Jay Fortuna, a total of 250 pre-registered minors who have been identified by the hospital will be the first to get vaccinated against the viral disease.
Majority of these children have pre-existing conditions or comorbidities.
The pediatric inoculation will be expanded on Nov. 2 to the city government’s mega sites that are near hospitals, including Ateneo de Iloilo, SM City, Robinsons-Jaro, University of San Agustin, and Megaworld.
Minors are required to present their birth certificates, identification cards of their parents or guardians, and medical certificates from pediatricians or district medical doctors indicating their comorbidities.
Nearly 6,000 qualified minors have so far pre-registered for the vaccination.
Iloilo City is targeting to vaccinate some 50,000 youngsters.
“I urge the parents of these minors to pre-register your children for vaccination. It is a great gift we can give to our children and our family when the entire household is vaccinated, and provided protection from severe COVID-19 and death,” Treñas said.
Pre-registration sites are located at SM City North Wing (fronting Café Iloilo); Festive Mall cyber area; Globe vax booths in all plazas from 9 a.m to 5. pm. daily; Atria from Thursday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and barangays.IMT/Photo by Ian Cordero
