SOME 285 minors with comorbidities in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental were vaccinated against coronavirus disease (Covid-19) as the pediatric vaccination rollout in the province started Friday, October 29, 2021.

In Bacolod City, 208 minors were inoculated with Pfizer vaccines at the Riverside Medical Center (RMC).

Em Ang, executive director of the Emergency Operation Center-Task Force (EOC-TF), said the minors belong to the Pediatric A3 priority group, or persons aged 12 to 17 years old with comorbidities.

Under the Department of Health (DOH) guidelines, the Pediatric A3 vaccination will focus on minors whose comorbidities include human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), cancer, Down syndrome, and tuberculosis, among others.

The guidelines also stated that the vaccination for minors should be held in the hospitals and not in the city’s vaccination centers.

Ang said the vaccination for minors with comorbidities will continue on November 3 and 4, 2021 still at the RMC.

For the minors with no comorbidity, she added the vaccination will be held at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central and SM Mall on November 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"The Pediatric A3 vaccinations are currently being held in a hospital-based vaccination site which has the capacity to manage possible adverse reactions to vaccines, ensure close monitoring, and facilitate easy referral of patients," she added.

Ang reiterated that the parents of minors under the Pediatric A3 group may register their children through this link: https://tinyurl.com/bcdceirminors. They do not need to wait for advice, text or email.

The minors are also required to present identification cards and proof of filiation of their guardians or birth certificate since they need to sign a waiver.

"It’s better that our children will be vaccinated so that they will be safe and it's also a preparation for the face-to-face classes that will start soon," Ang said.

As of October 29, they already registered a total of 5, 776 minors aged 12 to 17.

In Negros Occidental, meanwhile, 77 minors with comorbidities were vaccinated at the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City.