KIDS' TURN. Dr. Moriel Creencia, Medical Center Chief II of the National Children's Hospital in Quezon City, administers the reformulated Pfizer Covid-19 jab to a girl on Monday (Feb. 7, 2022). The pilot rollout of the vaccination for the 5 to 11 age group was also witnessed by (from left) National Task Force Against Covid-19 special adviser Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, US Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Heather Variava, NTF chief Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., and NTF medical consultant Dr. Ma. Paz Corrales. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)
MANILA – The government move to expand the vaccination program to the younger population will protect against the risk of Covid-19, allaying fears about possible adverse side effects.
Protecting the younger population against Covid-19 is also one step toward the resumption of physical classes.
National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 chief implementer, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., assured parents that reformulated Covid-19 vaccines for children aged 5 to 11 years old are safe and effective, just like the jabs for other age groups.
"I believe and we are very confident that the national vaccination program of the government is very strong and really protecting the family and the children and we follow the process," Galvez said in an interview during the pilot rollout at the National Children's Hospital along E. Rodriguez Sr. Ave. in Quezon City on Monday.
"We are confident and I believe millions of parents are asking for this vaccination. It is very important that we vaccinate children so that they can play around, go around, they can go to schools, and also our economy can absorb the good things we have gained because of the vaccines," he added.
Over at Manila Zoo in Malate, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III lauded the parents who brought their children and said they can look forward to more schools conducting face-to-face classes.
“Dahil dito sa wakas ay mabubuksan na natin ang mas malakaing bahagi ng basic education sector, magkakaroon tayo ng face-to face comeback of classes na dalawang taon halos ay hindi natin nagawa, nasuspinde 'yung ating mga face-to-face classes, so ngayon magiging ligtas na (Because of this, finally, we can open up a big part of our basic education sector. We will now have face-to-face classes that we were not able to do for two years when it was suspended, so now it will be safer),” Duque said in his speech.
From an initial plan of six venues, 38 vaccination sites in Metro Manila, five hospitals in Central Luzon, three in Calabarzon, and one in Cotabato City simultaneously started administering lower doses of the Pfizer vaccines.
The vaccine contains 10 micrograms in a 0.2 milliliter (mL) dose, lower compared than the 30 micrograms for a 0.3 mL dose received by the 12 to 17 group.
There have been no major adverse events recorded after inoculating children aged 12 to 17.
The Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) and the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP) already reiterated its support to the expansion of the vaccination drive as the "Covid-19 disease directly affects children and may lead to serious consequences".
In a joint statement released over the weekend, PPS and PIDSP noted that the Covid-19 pandemic has indirect effects on children, such as worsening mental health, widening education gaps, decreased physical activity, increased body mass index, decreased routine immunizations, and increased Adverse Childhood Experiences.
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso urged parents and guardians who remain hesitant to listen only to scientific experts, doctors, and other health professionals.
He said the youngest of his five children, an unvaccinated minor, contracted Covid-19 in January.
“Ako ay nagpapasalamat sapagkat lima ang anak ko, ‘yung bunso ko hindi pa nababakunahan at nakalulungkot nung nangyari nung Enero, isa sa mga datos doon ay anak ko, na-impeksyon ng Covid-19, sad to say, but I’m grateful to God nakaraos siya, nakaligtas sya. But what if may mga batang hindi protektado at ma-impeksyon? Kawawa naman (I am thankful. I have five children and sad to say, my youngest got infected with Covid-19 in January. But I’m grateful that he is okay now, but what if there are unprotected children and they get infected? They will suffer), so let’s listen to science, lets listen to professionals, doctors and nurses, to organizations, like the Philippine Pediatric Society,” he said.
PPS president, Dr. Joselyn Eusebio, said they will "continue to stand by in every journey that would benefit the Filipino child."
"This is a most welcome development to keep our children in state of health and free the spirit that define what it is to be a child," Eusebio said during the event.
"The coronavirus cannot be overcome by the armor of health and safety protocols alone. The body must be strengthened from within by giving it a vaccine," she added.
The government targets to vaccinate at least 15.56 million in the 5-11 age bracket. (PNA)
