THE GOVERNMENT has ramped up the inoculation of minors as it prepares to administer booster shots for priority groups next year.

Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said officials hope to finish the vaccination of minors aged 12 to 17 by December this year.

“Ang inaano po natin, matapos po ‘yung children vaccination by December. Kasi magkahalo na ang vaccination sa first dose and second dose,” Galvez said in his report to President Rodrigo Duterte during the latter’s Talk to the People on Monday night.

“Kasi binuksan na ng NITAG at all expert group na magkaroon ng third dose sa health workers at immunocompromised,” he added, referring to the national immunization technical advisory groups.

There are about 12.7 million teenagers in the 12 to 17 age group nationwide.

“Ang maganda po matapos natin ang kabataan by at least December para at least ‘yung mga ibang susunod na sektor after health workers ‘di maghalo-halo,” he added.

The Philippines started vaccinating minors last October 15 in eight select hospitals in the National Capital Region.

This was expanded to the second phase last October 22 that included hospitals in different Metro Manila local government units.

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.

Only Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been approved for pediatric inoculation.

Last week, Galvez said that Covid19 vaccination of children will be rolled out nationwide on October 29.