MORE than 9 million minors aged 12 to 17 have been fully vaccinated against Covid19 since pediatric inoculation started in November 2021, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said.

Galvez said no serious adverse effects were recorded.

“Kaya po huwag kayo mag-alala. Ang ating vaccination ay ligtas po,” he stressed.

Globally, the Department of Health said that more than 8.7 million children have been vaccinated against Covid19 and there have been no reports of deaths attributable to vaccines.

In the Philippines, the department said that less than 1 percent of inoculated children experienced mild fever, headache, itchiness, and pain on the injected arm.

“97.5 percent of those vaccinated did not experience side effects, 2.4 percent experienced mild side effects while 0.00013 percent experienced serious adverse events such as myocarditis or pericarditis, but all fully recovered,” it said.

Galvez bared that around 91,000 children aged five to 11 have received one dose of Covid19 vaccine.

“Hindi po kumpleto ang proteksiyon ng pamilya kung si bunso ay hindi bakunado.
Ngayon, puwede na tayong mag-staycation at bumisita sa ibang areas dahil bakunado na sina lolo, lola, tatay at nanay, kuya at ate, at si bunso,” he said.

There are 482 vaccination sites nationwide for kids below 11 years old, including 82 in the National Capital Region.

The government aims to vaccinate more than 39 million youngsters aged 17 and below.