AT LEAST 5,781 minors aged 15 to 17 years old with comorbidity have been vaccinated against Covid19, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said on Friday.

“Masaya kami dahil sa datos ng Department of Health, as of October 21 they have already vaccinated 5,781 na mga kabataang may edad 15 hanggang 17,” Galvez said.

“Gusto naming bigyang-diin ang importansya ng pagbabakuna sa mga kabataan. Ito ang magbibigay-daan upang makabalik sila sa mga eskwelehan at mas mabilis na mabuksan ang ating ekonomiya,” he added.

Last week, eight Metro Manila hospitals participated in the pilot inoculation of around 1,000 children with health risks.

The vaccination was held in the National Children’s Hospital, Philippine Heart Center, Pasig City Children’s Hospital, Fe Del Mundo Medical Center, Philippine General Hospital, Makati Medical Center, St. Luke’s Medical Center (Quezon City), and Philippine Children’s Medical Center.

The government aims to vaccinate 144,131 minors aged 12 to 17 in the National Capital Region against Covid19.

Adolescents with underlying medical conditions such as medical complexity, genetic condition, neurologic conditions, metabolic or endocrine diseases, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, HIV Infection, tuberculosis, chronic respiratory disease, renal disorders, hepatobiliary disease, and immunocompromised due to disease or treatment were given priority.

The expanded pediatric inoculation which started on Friday, October 22, tapped more hospitals — Caloocan City North Medical Center, Caloocan City Medical Center (South), Ospital ng Malabon/Oreta Sports Complex, Navotas City Hospital, Valenzuela City Emergency Hospital, St. Luke’s Medical Center (BGC), Marikina Sports Complex (Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center), Quezon City General Hospital, Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center, Ospital ng Makati, SM Megamall Mega Vaccination Site, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Ospital ng Muntinlupa, Ospital ng Paranaque 1, University of Perpetual Help Dalta System, and Pasay City General Hospital.