Parents seek TRO vs vax of kids 5-11

Two parents, represented by the Public Attorneys' Office (PAO), have filed a petition in the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) seeking a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the COVID-19 vaccination of minors aged 5 to 11.

Petitioners argue the vaccination constitutes 'undue experimentation' and that Department of Health (DOH) Memorandum No. 2022-0041, which allows the State to act as parens patriae and give consent if a parent refuses vaccination, infringes on parental authority.

They stated their petition is not to "purposely denigrate" the administration's pandemic control efforts, but to "guide him in saving the lives of Filipino children."

Respondents named in the petition include Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, and the DOH.

In a joint statement, the DOH and the National Task Force Against COVID-19 acknowledged the right to file cases but maintained that the vaccination rollout will continue, citing expert studies and approvals in other countries like the United States.

However, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire clarified that the COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 5 to 11 is not mandatory and requires informed consent.