AC Health expands vaccination program for minors

Manila – Last November 6, AC Health began its rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations among the pediatric population for minors aged 12 to 17, following the approval and release of interim operational guidelines set by the Department of Health (DOH).

Minors are accompanied by their parents or their authorized companions during the rollout of COVIDShield's vaccinations for the pediatric population.

Vaccine brands Pfizer and Moderna have secured the Emergency Use Approval (EUA) for minors through the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The vaccination process is similar with the adult group however, minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and present additional documents required by the DOH.

COVIDShield, AC Health’s COVID-19 vaccination program, expanded its scope to include minor dependents of the COVIDShield-registered primary employees of the Ayala Group and other partner companies. Vaccinations for the pediatric population were done across 11 vaccination sites in key areas around the country, including NCR and selected provincial sites. As of November 14, AC Health has vaccinated almost 4,000 children aged 12-17 years old across these sites.

“With an adequate supply of vaccines in the country, AC Health is proud to support the national vaccination program by expanding our COVIDShield vaccinations to include the pediatric population. We recognize that our children have likewise been deeply affected by this pandemic. Aside from protection from this deadly virus, vaccinating eligible minors allows them to safely interact with other people and brings them one step closer towards navigating this new reality,” said AC Health President and CEO, Paolo F. Borromeo.

Minors are among the vulnerable group with the risk of contracting COVID-19 infection. The DOH is targeting to vaccinate 80% of the eligible pediatric population by the end of the year.