Vaccination of kids 5-11 to start on Feb. 4 – Galvez

Metro Manila ( CNN Philippines, January 25) — Children aged 5 to 11 can soon receive their coronavirus shot starting Feb. 4, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said.

During the weekly televised Cabinet briefing, Galvez said the memorandum guidance will be released within the week, while trainings, meetings, and other preparations in connection to the program have been ongoing to ensure proper implementation.

RELATED: COVID-19 vaccination for kids 5-11: What you need to know

“Makaka-assure po tayo, Mr. President, sa ating mga magulang na very safe ang ating gagamitin na bakuna dahil ito ay mas mababa ang formulation na angkop para sa mga bata,” he noted. “Ngayon mas prepared po tayo at mas experienced.”

Galvez said the first batch of supply is expected to arrive next week.

Currently, Pfizer is the only vaccine brand given emergency use authorization for pediatric use.

Based on his presentation, the proposed rollout of vaccines for kids will be done in phases. In the pilot implementation, two sites will be established per city in the National Capital Region that will either be hospital or non-hospital settings.

After this, immunization of kids will be expanded in other sites in NCR and in other regions.

The government aims to inoculate about 14.7 million children belonging to the 5 to 11 age group.