PEDIATRIC vaccination against Covid19 is a sensitive issue because of the Dengvaxia controversy, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. admitted on Thursday.

“Sa ngayon po talaga takot ang mga ibang doctor at takot din ang ibang mga magulang dahil kasi nga po ang children vaccination is a very sensitive issue sa Pilipinas,” Galvez said during a media briefing.

Criminal cases were filed against former and incumbent officials of the Department of Health over the alleged death of a number of children who were inoculated with Dengvaxia, a vaccine against dengue.

As a result, the government decided to hold the vaccination of children against Covid19 in hospitals to ensure the safety of minors who will experience adverse effects.

Under the first phase, the inoculation of minors with comorbidities will start on October 15 in eight hospitals in the National Capital Region — 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 Philippine Children’s Medical Center.

“Para sigurado ang roll-out natin ay mangyayari (muna) sa 15 to 17 years old. And then after that, ‘yung 12 to 14 years old. Kaya po tinawag natin incremental,” Galvez said.

The official said after the 7-day test run is done in these eight hospitals, the pediatric vaccination will be expanded to other local government units in Metro Manila.

“‘Yung phase 2 ‘yung all LGUs sa NCR ay magkakaroon ng tinatawag na mini-rollout at the same time. Dito may pinili kaming anim na city, pero sabi ng NCR they are already prepared to have the pilot project in every city,” he said.

“Kung sino po ang prepared na LGU sa tinatawag natin mini-rollout after we have observed at least ng 1 week ‘yung ating pilot then we will execute the second phase on October 22,” he added.

During the third phase, Galvez noted that the inoculation of children will be rolled out in other areas outside Metro Manila that have vaccinated at least 50 percent of their elderly population beginning November 15.

These areas are Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga.

“Kapag nabakunahan natin ang mga bata tatlo ang magiging implication niyan. One, the face-to-face classes will be sustained and protected. Second, sa economy maganda iyan kasi 29 million ang consumers population ay mga bata. And third, ay ‘yung mental health dahil madalas nasa bahay lang sila marami nang suicidal at nagkakaroon ng depression,” Galvez said.