A TOTAL of 8.9 million minors aged 12 to 17 have been fully vaccinated against Covid19, according to the Department of Health.

Health Undersecretary Maria Vergerie cited the data as of March 24.

Vergerie also noted there were 736,143 children aged 5 to 11 who were fully immunized against COVID-19.

“Kaya naman po para sa ating mga magulang o legal guardians, pakidala na po ang ating mga kabataan saating mga bakunahan para mabigyan na po sila ngkaragdagang proteksyon para sa Covid19,” Vergerie said in a media briefing.

Vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna were approved by the Philippine Food and Drugs Administration for adolescents.

Health experts are finalizing the guidelines on the use of Sinovac Covid19 vaccine on children aged 6 to 17.

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