Manila encourages vaccination of 5-11 age group

MANILA – The city government of Manila encouraged parents and guardians of children aged 5 to 11 years old to preregister as early as now for the coronavirus disease 2109 (Covid-19) vaccine.

The vaccination for the youngest age group to be included in the country’s rollout will initially be held in the city’s six district hospitals, to be expanded later on.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier approved the emergency use authorization for Pfizer-BioNTech to be used in the inoculation of 5 to 11-year-olds but with a lower dosage.

“Kahapon, opisyal ng pinayagan ng ating pamahalaan na magbakuna sa 5 years old to 11 years old. Bilang paghahanda sa bakunahan, kayo ay iniimbitahan ko na na magparehistro na ng inyong mga anak na limang taon hanggang labing isang taon sa ating manilacovid19vaccine.ph (Yesterday, Thursday, the national government officially allowed the vaccination for 5 to 11-year-olds. As part of the preparation for their vaccination, we are inviting you to register your kids five years old to 11 years old at manilacovid19vaccine.ph),” Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso announced in his Capitol Report on Friday.

FDA Director General Eric Domingo said the Pfizer jab has a high efficacy rate of above 90 percent while its adverse events are very mild as proven in clinical trials

As of 8 p.m. on Thursday, Manila has already deployed 3,006,071 Covid-19 vaccine doses.

A total of 1,461,118 are already fully vaccinated after receiving two doses or the single-dose Janssen jab.

The city government has also logged 214,753 doses for minors aged 12 to 17, with 98,036 of them with complete doses.

Vaccination is suspended Friday until the weekend and will resume Monday, December 27, to allow all involved to celebrate Christmas and rest.

As of Friday noon, the city only has 78 active cases, the 19th straight day that it fell below the 100-mark.