Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 12) — A total of 52,262 children aged 5 to 11 have secured their COVID-19 shots, five days after the government expanded the vaccination drive to cover the younger group.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said only four of the children experienced minor reactions—including rash and headache—after they were administered with Pfizer vaccines meant for their age bracket.
READ: Gov’t: Parental consent ‘absolute requirement’ for pediatric vaccination
“Ito ay agad nating na-manage (We immediately managed it),” she said during a virtual briefing.
Vergeire said the vaccination drive will be deployed to populous regions such as Central Visayas and Davao.
“After next week, we will further roll it out to other areas,” she added.
The program was first launched in various hospitals across the National Capital Region.
Outside Metro Manila, the Batangas Medical Center, the Southern Tagalog Regional Hospital in Cavite, and the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center also participated.
Presidential Adviser for COVID-19 Response Vince Dizon earlier said the government expects that around 1.5 million children under this age group will receive the vaccine.
