ILOILO – A total of 60 minors received their first dose of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine yesterday (Nov. 5) during the provincial government’s launching of pediatric vaccination at the Aleosan District Hospital in Alimodian town.
The vaccination was attended by Director Adriano Suba-an of the Department of Health (DOH) in Region 6, Provincial Administrator Suzette Mamon, Provincial Health Office chief, Dr. Maria Socorro Quiñon, Hospital Management Office head, Dr. Paz Calopiz, and chiefs of hospitals.
No adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) were recorded, according to Quiñon.
“Everyone’s excited. They were nervous at first, but after, they were happy showing off their vaccination cards and taking pictures with the backdrop,” she said.
Quiñon said rural health units (RHUs) and hospitals can now roll out the pediatric vaccination province-wide.
The provincial government targets to vaccinate 227,662 children aged 12-17 years old. Only the preregistered will be accommodated.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said there is enough supply of vaccines to inoculate the minors.
“The vaccination of our minors comes with the sufficiency of our vaccines. We have extra vaccines especially that the national government is increasing our allocation,” he said.
The provincial government is expecting 51,120 doses of Sinovac, 20,000 Gamaleya and 10,140 vials of Pfizer.
The governor also continues to appeal to senior citizens and those with comorbidities to get vaccinated.
Meanwhile, the province is recruiting 1,092 medical staff (156 medical officers, 312 nurses, and 624 nursing attendants) for additional vaccination teams.(with Capitol news/PN)
