Lacuna: Vax rate for city’s minors low

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna has urged parents to get their children vaccinated ahead of the resumption of face-to-face classes in public schools on Aug. 22.

In a Facebook live on Friday, Lacuna lamented the low turnout in pediatric vaccination and booster immunization in the city.

As of Friday, Manila had administered 299,676 vaccine doses to people aged 12 to 17, and 143,423 doses for those aged five to 11.

The city government has given first booster shots to 625,247 people and second boosters to 64,269 immunocompromised individuals.

“We have a relatively low number of vaccinated minors. To the parents, guardians and grandparents, we encourage you to get them vaccinated as face-to-face classes will start soon,” Lacuna said in Filipino.

She also urged senior citizens to get vaccinated to prevent them from developing serious complications of COVID-19 amid waning efficacy of the primary vaccine series.

During the Metro Manila Council meeting on Thursday, Lacuna said mayors are considering redefining a fully vaccinated person to include the first booster shot.

Lacuna, a doctor, said she is willing to go to the barangays and administer the vaccines herself to convince the public, especially the elderly, to get the life-saving jabs.