Two hospitals will be added to the initial list of six medical facilities that will pilot the vaccination of minors aged 12 to 17, National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said on Wednesday.

In a media briefing, Galvez said the St. Luke’s Hospital will join the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, National Children’s Hospital, Philippine Heart Center, Pasig City Children’s Hospital, Fe Del Mundo Medical Center, and Philippine General Hospital, all in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Galvez said he will announce later the eighth hospital to be added to the list, as they are still “finalizing some concerns”.

“Maraming kasing mga ospital ang gustong mag-volunteer. I think ‘yung isang gustong mag-volunteer ay Makati Med (There are many hospitals that are willing to volunteer for the pilot run and I think one of them is the Makati Medical Center),” he said.

Galvez also cited that St. Luke’s Hospital and the Makati Medical Center have their respective vaccination capacity, which can accommodate up to 1,000 vaccines daily.

“Nakikita natin na malaki ang perspective na ‘yung acceptance ng children’s vaccination natin ay maganda (We see a big perspective that the acceptance turnout on our children’s vaccination will be good),” he said, noting that the outcome of pediatric vaccination will benefit the education and tourism sectors.

Galvez said the country’s pediatric age-group vaccination will be done in “phases and incremental.”

He noted the inoculation of 15 to 17 years old will be done first, followed by the 12 to 14 years group.

“Rest assured, na yun gagawin natin sa (this) children’s vaccination is very safe, considering that it will be in hospital-based para prepared tayo sa (so we are well-prepared against) any adverse effect,” he said.

The Food and Drug Administration initially approved the emergency use authorization of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for the inoculation of minors.

Galvez said after the 14-day test run is done in these eight hospitals which will start on October 15, the pediatric vaccination will be expanded to other local government units within Metro Manila.

He earlier said the inoculation of children will be rolled out after 30 days in the NCR and in other areas outside Metro Manila that have vaccinated at least 50 percent of their elderly population. (PNA)