Iloilo City Hall calls off inoculation of minors

Iloilo City government scuttled its plan to begin the inoculation of minors starting August 26, 2021.

Mayor Jerry Treñas announced on Monday that the city will not push through with the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out for persons below 18 years old.

This after the Department of Health in Western Visayas (DOH-6) reminded the local government unit that minors in the country are still not allowed to be inoculated with Covid-19 vaccines.

“It is with deepest regret that I am announcing that the city of Iloilo cannot proceed with the vaccination of our minors on Thursday. We requested permission from Sec. Vince Dizon to vaccinate minors with Pfizer vaccines given to us. However, our attention was called by DOH-6 that minors are still not allowed to be vaccinated,” Treñas said in a statement.

The mayor initially announced that the city will start the Covid-19 vaccination roll-out of minors by end of October or November this year.

Upon his instruction, the Iloilo City government has also started the registration process of eligible minors aged 12-17 years old in preparation for the vaccination roll-out.

However, with the new development, Treñas said the city must wait until the DOH gives them the green light to vaccinate minors.

“We have to wait when the DOH decides you will be protected with vaccines. Even If I do not agree with this decision of the DOH, I have no recourse but to comply with the same,” he added.

From January 1 to August 18, 2021, a total of 995 children aged 0-17 years old have been infected with Covid-19 in the city, based on the data from the Iloilo City Government. (ERS)