Nearly 136,000 minors get first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Taguig

Nearly 136,000 minors aged five to 17 have already received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Taguig.

In a report released on Feb. 18, the Taguig City government said a total of 126,407 minors aged 12 to 17 have been administered the first dose of the vaccine. Of the total, 60,228 or 48 percent are now fully vaccinated.

In addition, 9,292 kids aged five to 11 have been vaccinated with the first dose in Taguig, according to the report.

As of Feb. 17, Taguig has administered a total of 1.74 million vaccine doses. There are also 763,846 individuals who are now fully vaccinated, or 87 percent of the estimated total population of 882,512 in the city.

Of the fully vaccinated adults, 187,277 have received their booster shots.

During the “Laging Handa” public briefing on Feb. 19, Health Usec. Maria Rosario Vergeire said during the National Vaccination Days part 3 on Feb. 10 and 11, a total of 3.5 million people were vaccinated, falling short of the target of five million.

Vergeire said to date, 62.3 million individuals in the country are now fully vaccinated while 9.6 million individuals have received their booster shots.

She said there are now 395,000 kids aged five to 11 in the country who have received their first dose.

In addition, 9.4 million minors aged 12 to 17 have been inoculated with the first dose, or 73.9 percent of the target population of 12.7 million. Of the total, 8.2 million are now fully vaccinated.

On the plan to give booster shots to 12 to 17 years old, Vergeire said up to now, studies and talks are being conducted by experts since “globally there is no sufficient evidence yet for the need to give booster shots to our 12 to 17.”

“The government is ready once completed evidence is available, if there is already a budget and if there are negotiations for that if ever,’ she said.