All adolescents aged 12 to 17 can now receive their booster shot against COVID-19, the Department of Health (DOH) announced Tuesday.
“Yes! Children ages 12 to 17 can now get their additional/ booster doses,” the DOH said in an advisory posted on Facebook and Twitter.
Last week, the government postponed the administration of the first COVID-19 booster dose for non-immunocompromised children due to some “glitches.”
When asked if all implementing units can now implement the rollout of the booster vaccination to the general population, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said local government units who are ready can do so.
“It was stated in our guidelines that all LGUs/Vaccination sites who are ready to implement — trained HCWs, with appropriate vaccines, etc. — can already implement,” Vergeire said in a message to reporters.
According to the DOH, adolescents included among immunocompromised individuals may receive their booster dose 28 days after the primary series while those among the general population may receive theirs after five months.
“Medical centers and hospitals shall be the ones to schedule their immunocompromised pediatric patients ages 12-17 years old once they are eligible,” it said.
Immunocompromised patients without attending physicians will, meanwhile, be coordinated by community health officers and rural health units.
The DOH said adolescents among the general population may be registered through the LGU registration website.
It advised vaccinees to bring their vaccination card, document to prove the relationship with the child, valid ID or documents with photos, and a medical certificate for immunocompromised patients.
Children whose parents are abroad may get vaccinated provided that the accompanying adult presents a Special Power of Attorney or a notarized authorization letter, an affidavit with a presentation of a valid government ID, and a barangay certification.
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