(PNA photo by Avito Dalan) MANILA - The government has set aside a portion of the latest shipments of American-made coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine for the inoculation of minors. "Yes, nakapaglagay na tayo ng buffer, we already allocated a buffer and the same time, this coming next week na meron pa din dadating na Pfizer, so ayun 'yung mga gagamitin natin yung mga dadating na bago (We have already allocated a buffer stock, and at the same time, we expect deliveries of Pfizer next week so we will be using those newly-delivered vaccines)," National Task Force against Covid-19 chief implementer, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said in an interview during the arrival of the 797,940 doses of government-procured Pfizer vaccine at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Thursday night. The 797,940 doses of Pfizer vaccine arrived via Air Hongkong Flight LD-456 around 8:45 p.m. Another 141,570 doses were earlier delivered to Cebu while some 64,350 doses are s
(File photo) MANILA - The "phased and sequential" approach in the upcoming pediatric vaccination against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is aimed at preventing Dengvaxia-like events, National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 chief implementer, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., said Wednesday night. "So sa ngayon po talagang takot ang mga ibang mga doktor at takot din'yung mga ibang mga magulang dahil kasi nga po 'yung children vaccination is a very sensitive issue sa Pilipinas po talaga (So now, there are fears among doctors and parents because -vaccination of children is a very sensitive issue in the Philippines)," Galvez, also the vaccine czar, told President Rodrigo Duterte during a televised Cabinet meeting. Galvez reiterated that the pediatric age group vaccination against Covid-19 will be done "in phases and incremental." "Dahan-dahan po ang gagawin po natin para at least may kumpiyansa po 'yung mga ating mga magulang at saka mg
(File photo) MANILA - 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. Gal