Senator Win Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, presses for the urgent vaccination of minors to prevent them from acquiring the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), particularly its Delta variant following its detection in the country.
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As of July 29, there are 216 total cases of the Delta variant in the Philippines, eight of which have died.
The World Health Organization (WHO) called the Delta variant the fastest and fittest as it has increased transmissibility and is considered a variant of concern. It was first detected in India last October and it led to a massive second wave of Covid cases in the country.
By the time we get enough supply we can already vaccinate teenagers. And this is a very crucial stage in going back to face-to-face classes,
Gatchalian said.
He pointed out that vaccinating learners will provide them an added layer of protection since schools are surrounded by economic activities.
The kids might not get infected as fast as science says, but their parents, the shopkeepers, the sari-sari store owners, they might be susceptible to the virus spread. So that's why the approach to school opening should be very cautious and the step forward to that is to launch pilot schools in zero COVID areas,
Gatchalian emphasized.
Guidelines for the gradual reintroduction of face-to-face classes are being crafted by the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Health (DOH).
DepEd said that at least 100 schools will partake in the pilot study of limited face-to-face classes once President Rodrigo Durterte gives his approval.
Currently, the Philippine Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to be used on adolescents aged 12 to 15. Last June, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said that the government is eyeing to use 20 million of Pfizer doses for minors.
Meanwhile, drug maker Sinovac also applied for authorization to use its vaccine CoronaVac on minors aged 3 to 17.
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Sen. Gatchalian pushes for urgent vaccination of minors amid Delta variant threat
Reviewed by Issues PH
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August 03, 2021
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Reviewed by Issues PH
on
August 03, 2021
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