DOH lists 11 medical conditions that qualify children for COVID-19 vaccination

October 9 ------ The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday listed the 11 medical conditions that would make children aged 12 to 17 years old eligible for vaccination against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In a message to reporters, the DOH said children with the following medical conditions were eligible for vaccination:

Medical Complexity

Genetic conditions

Neurologic conditions

Metabolic/ endocrine

Cardiovascular disease

Obesity

HIV infection

Tuberculosis

Chronic respiratory disease

Renal disorders

Hepatobiliary

In a media forum, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said children seeking vaccination must get a clearance from their doctors as well as give their consent and assent. “Ibig sabihin ang kanilang mga magulang ay kailangan magkaroon ng consent dito, pipirma sa document, at pangalawa ‘yung bata mismo na babakunahan ay may assent dito. Pangatlo, syempre ‘yung monitoring natin,” she said.

Vergeire advised parents to register through their local government units. Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje previously said that the national government will prioritize 10% of the total minors nationwide for the next two to three months. Cabotaje said the National Children's Hospital and Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City as well as Philippine General Hospital in Manila had announced that they will help in the vaccination of children.

Meanwhile, Vergeire refrained from disclosing the other hospitals which would be vaccinating children. “Antayin lang natin kasi inaayos po. Kailangan kasi mayroon agreement with the hospitals before we can announce,” she said.

Source: gmanetwork.com