ILOILO City – The vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) of children aged five to 11 years old in Western Visayas (WV) starts today.
There will be simultaneous launchings of the pediatric vaccination across region today, according to Dr. Renilyn Reyes, head of the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6’s Public Health Development Program Cluster.
In this city, the launching is at St. Paul’s Hospital Iloilo at 9 a.m.
DOH-6 targets to vaccinate 1,080,597 children using a reformulated Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
For Iloilo City, the target is over 60,000 kids.
The city has already received an initial batch of reformulated vaccine – 3,000 vials or 10,000 doses.
The launching here will be led by DOH-6 director Dr. Adriano Suba-an. He will be joining Mayor Jerry Treñas, Cong. Julienne Baronda and other city officials, Philippine Pediatric Society Western Visayas chapter president Dr. Teresa Martirez-Hallegado, and St. Paul’s Hospital Iloilo administrator Sr. Ma. Jessica Formacion.
The reformulated Pfizer vaccine is a dilute-to-use, multi-dose vial. It can be administered at .2 mL (10mcg), and once thawed, it can be stored at +2 to +8 degree Celsius for 10 weeks.
For Iloilo province, the launching will be at the West Visayas State University Cultural Center in La Paz district here, at Robinsons Place Pavia in Pavia, Iloilo and Aleosan District Hospital in Alimodian town.
Reyes said the vaccine will protect kids against severe COVID.
“We have this strategy called cocooning – vaccinating individuals and protecting those who are not vaccinated. So kon bakunahan pa gid naton ang aton kabataan madugang pa gid ini sang protection to those nga wala pa gid nabakunahan, especially those below five years old,” Reyes explained.
The same protocols during the vaccination of the kids 12 to 17 years old will be implemented for the five to 11 age group. A child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, both with proof of relationships such as a valid identification card with picture.
Kids with comorbidities must present s medical certificate as clearance from his or her doctor for the vaccination.
Parents or guardians are also advised to bring writing materials like ballpen and use well-fitted facemask and face shield (required in medical settings), alcohol, fan, and water as necessary./PN
