Vaccination for 12-17 year olds with comorbidities on in Baguio

By Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY – At least 150 adolescents with comorbidities were immunized  Oct. 29 at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) garden, during the ceremonial launch.
    The vaccinated youngsters, mostly BGHMC employees’ dependents were accompanied by parents and guardians.
Only Moderna and Pfizer vaccine brands are authorized to be used due to availability of supply.
    The vaccine roll-out in phases was earlier presented by Dr. Rowena Galpo during the executives’ management committee meeting last Tuesday with Mayor Benjamin Magalong   
    As to national directives, the minor vaccinee and adult/parent/guardian need to present identification documents and a QR code generated through online pre-registration at bakuna.baguio.gov.ph with the category “pediatric A3.”  
    Equally important for presentation at the registration area during the vaccine schedule are: a medical certificate from a pediatrician or physician, detailing the comorbidity; adult companion/guardian’s identification document to prove filiation or relationship to the minor vaccinee; and valid identification to verify the relationship between the adult companion/ guardian and the minor vaccinee. Documents to be presented may be Philippine Statistics Authority birth certificate, school IDS with parents’ and minor’s names and photos. 
    After registration, the adult companion/guardian/parent shall sign an informed consent form while the minor vaccinee has to sign an assent form. If either or both forms are not signed, the vaccination is deferred. A special notation also states that once the minor vaccinee does not give his/her assent, he is not coerced to be vaccinated.
    The list of comorbidities include: genetic, neurological, metabolic/endocrine, Tuberculosis, Medical complexity, cardiovascular disease, HIV infection, chronic respiratory disease, immunocompromised, hepatobiliary, obesity and renal disorder.
    The schedule of vaccination for the estimated 49,000 adolescent population (age 12 to 17 year old) shall be out soon. As of now, only BGHMC and Saint Louis University Sacred Heart Hospital (SLUSHH) are prospective vaccine venues.