保健省によると、10月15日から12歳から17歳までを対象に、マニラ首都圏でワクチン接種が開始する予定です。また引き続き、心臓、腎臓、呼吸器などの疾患を併発している人々が優先されるといいます。

子どもたちと保護者は、ワクチン接種の同意書に署名する必要があり、未成年者は健康上のリスクを証明する診断書を提示する必要があるなど、慎重に進めていくようです。フィリピンで12歳から17歳を対象としたEUAを取得しているのは、モデルナとファイザーのワクチンのみです。

予防接種プログラムは現在、医療従事者、高齢者、持病などのある方、貧困者など5つの優先グループを対象としています。

アジアで最悪のコロナウイルスの流行となっているフィリピンでは、約3万7千人の死亡を含む約250万人の感染が確認されています。引き続きワクチン接種を進め、感染収束を目指して欲しいです。

以下、ABS-CBN NEWSより

Gov’t eyes opening COVID-19 vaccination for minors on Oct. 15: DOH

MANILA — The COVID-19 vaccination drive will open to 12- to 17-year-olds on Oct. 15, the Department of Health said on Wednesday, as authorities raced to protect more people against more infectious coronavirus variants.

The inoculation of minors will start in Metro Manila. Those with comorbidity like heart, kidney, and respiratory problems will be prioritized, said DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje.

“Ang target natin ay masimulan ito sa Oct. 15. Uumpisahan natin sa National Capital Region kasi maganda-ganda na ‘yong kanilang coverage ng kanilang vaccination, lalong-lalo na ‘yong kanilang A2 (senior citizens),” she said in a televised public briefing.

(Our target is to start this by Oct. 15. We will start in the National Capital Region because their vaccination coverage is quite good, especially for their A2.)

“Pagkatapos ng 2 linggo, ito ‘yong tinatawag na test run, ay dadalhin na natin sa iba’t ibang rehiyon. Uumpisahan ang pagbabakuna sa may comorbities,” added the official.

(After 2 weeks, this is the so-called test run, we will bring this to other regions. The vaccination will start among those with comorbities.)

Children and their parents or guardians should sign consent forms for the vaccination. The minors should also present medical certificates proving their health risks, Cabotaje said.

She noted only the COVID-19 vaccines of Moderna and Pfizer have secured EUAs for 12- to 17-year-olds in the Philippines, and will be the only jabs used for this age group.

Authorities eye releasing other guidelines by next week, she added.

The immunization program currently covers 5 priority groups, including health workers, the elderly, people with health risks, essential workers, and indigents.

Government this week also approved the COVID-19 vaccination of the general adult population by October.

The Philippines, which is fighting one of Asia’s worst coronavirus outbreaks, has confirmed some 2.5 million infections, including about 37,000 deaths overall. The recent jump in cases is linked to the highly contagious Delta coronavirus variant.

At least 20.8 million of the country’s 109 million people have been fully vaccinated so far.