Mayor eyes to vaccinate minors by October or November

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas is mulling to start the COVID-19 vaccination for minors by end of October or November this year.

Treñas stressed the importance of inoculating the minors to protect them from the threats of COVID-19.

“As Mayor of Iloilo City, I propose that we start vaccinating the minors starting end of October or November this year. These young minors are the future of our nation and we need to make sure that those who will come after us are also protected,” he said in a statement issued on Friday.

Recently, the mayor ordered the start of the registration process of eligible minors aged 12-17 years old in preparation for their vaccination roll-out.

The registration process will be done in their respective barangays through their school identification and consent from their parents.

The mayor based his orders following the proposal of Vaccine Czar Carlito Galvez Jr. to include children in the vaccination in the Interim National Immunization Technical Advisory Group.

“I hope the IATF will reconsider its decision and approve the proposal of Sec. Carlito Galvez,” he added.

In his previous media interview, the mayor has said that the city government will only use vaccines that will be allowed by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“Sa subong wala kita sang may nakita nga iban nga brand nga na-approve other than Pfizer nga ginagamit karon sa US. Nagpurchase na ang national government sang Pfizer so most probably amo man na aton gamiton,” he said.

Currently, only the Pfizer vaccine has secured an approval of Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the minors. (ERS)