THE DEPARTMENT of Health hopes to finish vaccinating minors aged 12 to 17 against the Covid19 by the first quarter of 2022.

“Kung 100 percent ng 12.7 million, baka iyan ay umabot ng Enero, first quarter ng 2022. Pero 80 percent, iyan ang pinupuntirya natin na makamit by the end of the year ng mga 12 to 17 years of age,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.

To ramp up the pediatric vaccination, the government tapped dentists and medical clerks and interns to help in the inoculation drive.

“Meron na tayong mga pinahintulutan na maging vaccinators, may mga dentista — lahat ng dentista ay binigyan na natin ng go signal na puwede na silang magbakuna. Pati ‘yung mga medical clerks and interns. So marami tayong madadagdag na vaccinators,” he said.

The government is set to start the vaccination of minors with or without comorbidities on November 3, with its full implementation set to begin on Nov. 5.

The DoH earlier said it aims to vaccinate at least 80 percent of the 12.7 million children before the end of the year.