ILOILO City – The Department of Health is set to kick off pediatric vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in this southern city on Oct. 29.
The roll-out will be at St. Paul’s Hospital Iloilo in accordance with the Department of Health’s recommendation that it should be hospital-based, said Mayor Jerry Treñas.
“We welcome this development. We have to protect children aged 12 to 17 years old from COVID-19 infection,” Treñas said.
COVID team focal person, Dr. Roland Jay Fortuna said 250 slots for pre-registered minors were identified by the hospital. These are mostly children with comorbidities.
Requirements to be presented at the vaccination site include birth certificate, identification card of the parent or guardian and medical certificate from pediatrician or district medical doctor stating the child’s comorbidity.
The city will expand the inoculation for minors on Nov. 2 to its mega vaccination sites that are in proximity of hospitals (in case of any adverse reaction): Ateneo de Iloilo near Qualimed Hospital; SM City near Medicus Medical Center; Robinsons-Jaro near West Visayas State University Medical Center; University of San Agustin near St. Paul’s Hospital Iloilo; and Megaworld near The Medical City Iloilo.
Treñas said all mega vaccination centers will no longer require the pre-registration of minors and will be open even for non-residents but studying in Iloilo City.
“Parents only need to bring IDs and sign the consent form onsite,” he said.
So far, 5,894 children aged 12-17 years old have pre-registered here.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases approved the nationwide roll-out of vaccination for minors.
Iloilo City is targeting to vaccinate 50,000 youngsters.
“I urge the parents of these minors to pre-register their 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 vaccination booths in district plazas from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; Atria on Thursday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and barangays. (With a report from Iloilo City PIO/PN)
