SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian backed the government’s plan to establish Covid19 jab sites in schools, saying it will help increase vaccination coverage among minors.

“Mahalagang mapaigting natin ang pakikilahok ng ating mga paaralan sa pagbabakuna ng mga kabataan laban sa Covid19. Kung mababakunahan natin ang mas maraming kabataan, makakapagbukas pa tayo ng mas maraming mga paaralan para sa face-to-face classes,” the chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture said.

Gatchalian said that the prolonged lack of face-to-face classes will result in economic and education scarring.

According to the National Economic and Development Authority, the country loses around P22 trillion for two years of schools closure.

Presidential Adviser for Covid19 Response Secretary Vince Dizon earlier said that National Task Force Against Covid19 Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. already gave instructions to make vaccines available in all schools.

There are 10 million doses in stock for children aged 5 to 11, the official added.

Accelerating pediatric vaccination is part of the government’s Last Mile Challenge in the Covid19 inoculation program.

As of April 17, only more than 2.6 million or 18.59% of children aged 5 to 11 have received their first dose.

In the 12-17 age group, more than 9.9 million or 86.51% got at least one dose.