NO adverse reaction was reported on the first day of Covid19 vaccination of minors, an official of the Department of Health said on Saturday.

“Actually, naging matagumpay po ‘yung naging simula ng ating vaccination rollout for our pediatric population with comorbidities kahapon,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergerie said during a media briefing.

“According to reports, wala po tayong nai-report na untoward adverse reactions among these children vaccinated,” she added.

Eight hospitals in the National Capital Region kicked off the vaccination of minors aged 12 to 17 on October 15.

The vaccinations were made at 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, and the Philippine Children’s Medical Center.

The government prioritized 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.

According to the National Task Force Against Covid19, about 12.7 million teenagers are in the 12 to 17 age group.

NTF Chief Implementer and Vaccine Czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said the government will first complete and assess the vaccination in the eight hospitals before expanding the initiative.

Pediatric vaccination will be expanded to other local government units in Metro Manila on October 22, Galvez said.

Meanwhile, NTF medical adviser Dr. Teodoro Herbosa said the government is on track to vaccinate children aged 12 years to 14 by next week and those outside NCR no later than November 5.