More than 18,000 minors in Iloilo City inoculated vs COVID

Minors in Iloilo City who have been inoculated against COVID-19 have climbed to more than 18,000 as the city’s intensified vaccination drive for minors continues.

As of Nov 10, 2021, a total of 18,583 children aged 12 to 17 years old have received COVID-19 jabs, based on data from the Iloilo City government.

The more than 18,000 children represented the number of the eligible minors who were inoculated in a span of almost two weeks since the city started its pediatric vaccination roll-out.

Iloilo City piloted its pediatric vaccination for minors at the St. Paul’s Hospital on Oct 29, 2021.

The city then opened its mega vaccination sites in SM City Iloilo, Megaworld Transport Hub, Ateneo de Iloilo, and Robinsons Jaro on Nov 2 to accommodate more minors not only those residing in Iloilo City but also in other neighboring provinces.

According to Mayor Jerry Treñas, the city hopes to inoculate 50,000 minors by November.

“Our vax rollout is doing very well. Mega vaxx sites have vaccinated some 15,000 minors for a week. We are targeting 50,000 minors 12 to 17 years old to be vaccinated in the month of November. We need to ramp up vaccination so that we can do booster shots and vaccinate minors 5 to 11 years old when allowed by the national government,” Treñas said in a statement.

To further ramp up the vaccination rollout for minors, the city will open its mega sites this weekend from Nov 13 to 14 for minors and their parents or guardians who are not yet vaccinated.

The rollout will start at 8 a.m. until supplies last and will be open to city and non-residents at the SM City, Robinsons Jaro, and Megaworld Transport Hub. (ERS)