MORE than 8,000 minors aged 12 to 17 have been vaccinated against Covid19, the Department of Health said on Sunday.

“Meron na po tayong 8,639 children who were already vaccinated. Ito ‘yung mga kabataan na may comorbidities,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

So far, only four children were reported to have experienced adverse effects after getting Covid19 jabs.

“Three of them had an allergic reaction but were eventually managed, while the other experienced an anxiety-related reaction,” she said.

The Philippines started vaccinating minors on October 15.

The government tapped more than 20 hospitals for the inoculation.

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 minors were given either Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.