Government to prioritize vaccination of adults, minors with health risks By Carolyn Bonquin I CNN Philippines 1 September 29, 2021
Edna Bautista wants a COVID-19 vaccine for her 13-year-old daughter Janelle. While adults in their household are fully vaccinated, Edna is worried for her children.
"Para mayroon na rin po siyang proteksiyon, kagaya po sa akin. Maganda pong nababakunahan na po kasi hindi po 100% na matatamaan na siya ng sakit."
Janelle has also decided to get the vaccine once available.
"Para po makalabas na din ako. Baka din po mahawaan ako ng may mga sakit."
Almost 22% of the country's 110 million population got at least one dose of COVID- 19 vaccine. With the expected 114 million vaccine doses coming by October to December, the government has decided to inoculate the general population and the younger group next month. But the health department says considering the supply, the remaining unvaccinated adults and children at risk of getting severe infection are the priority. This means among the younger population, 12-17-year-olds with existing illness will get the vaccine first.
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines will give a list of illnesses qualified for priority pediatric vaccination. And just like the inoculation of adults with comorbidity, there are requirements to prove that a child is sick.
Maria Rosario Vergerie (Health Undersecretary): "Kailangan may medical clearance. It's either from their attending physicians or their specialists. Maaari naman po iyong doktor lang, iyong doktor natin doon sa kanilang local area pero magbibigay po tayo ng checklist."
Myrna Cabotaje (Health Undersecretary/Nat' Vaccine Operations Center Chairperson): "Sa may mga medical complexity iyong may mga heart, sa respiratory, kidney at saka may mga iba-ibang problema."
Both parents and children should also agree to the vaccination.
Maria Rosario Vergerie (Health Undersecretary): "Kailangan din po natin na may guardian sila kapag pupunta sila doon sa may bakunahan."
Only Pfizer and Moderna are allowed for age 12 to 17 in the Philippines. Vaccination among the younger population is expected to begin on October 15 in Metro Manila. Other regions will follow after two weeks.
Carolyn Bonquin, CNN Philippines. #
Answer the questions based on the news report you listened to.
1. What is the news report mainly about?
2. Is the information in the news accurate? Why or why not?
3. Does the news present adequate information? Why or why not?
4. Is the news valid and relevant? Why or why not?
5. Do you agree with the government's plan to vaccinate minors aged 12 to 17? Why or why not?
