38K kids vaccinated, only 4 had side effects

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AT least 38,000 children aged five to 11 years have been given COVID-19 vaccines since the vaccination program for the younger minors started on Monday, with only four experiencing side effects, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said yesterday.

“We have four identified minor side effects or 0.01 percent of those that have been vaccinated,” he said in a briefing after launching the third phase o the “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” vaccination drive in Taguig City, adding that minor effects such as allergic reactions and pain in the vaccination area are normal.

Dr Kezia Lorraine Rosario, co-lead of the National Vaccination Operations Center, said the minimal rate of adverse effects after vaccination proves the vaccines are safe for children.

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“We never denied that there could be mild side effects, as with any other vaccines. But we also know that this COVID-19 vaccines are really safe for our children,” she said in a public briefing.

Children are being given reformulated vaccines.

Rosario said government is closely monitoring the condition of an 11-year-old vaccinee in Manila, who was given the jab for the higher age groups.

“According to our experts, most likely, there will be no major side effects on the child,” she said.

Government officials are hopeful that the third Bayanihan, Bakunahan will would bring the country closer to its target of fully vaccinating 77 million against COVID-19 by the end of

March.
Ted Herbosa, medical adviser of the National Task Force against COVID-19, said the government is also hopeful that two-day Bayanihan, Bakunahan will enable the 28 million fully vaccinated individuals to get a third dose or booster shot.

As of February 8, more than 8.24 million people received their booster shots. Nationwide, 129.1 million doses of vaccines have been administered, with 60.7 million individuals having received their first dose and 60.1 million fully vaccinated.

Duque expressed confidence the number of booster shots administered will increase by March or April, or after the three-month interval between the second dose and the booster shot.

“The policy on the three-month interval was passed last December. So the numbers will eventually catch up,” said Duque.

He said the number of booster shots administered is still at a mere 10 percent.

“We have to be mindful of the time difference between the second dose and booster shot.

That is at least three months. So we need to wait for that,” he said Duque.

Herbosa also urged candidates to encourage their supporters and those who would attend their political gatherings to get the booster.

Vince Dizon, presidential adviser for COVID Response, said the government hopes to vaccinate five million to six million people in the two days of Phase 3 of Bayanihan, Bakunahan but the government is willing to extend the program to accommodate more people.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III asked workers anew to get vaccinated and their booster shots, and to “strictly adhere to minimum public health standards and occupational safety and health policies.”

“Let us continue to be vigilant and avoid complacency by always wearing face masks, washing hands, observing physical distancing, and avoiding crowded places,” he added.

Bello said supporting efforts for the recovery of the labor market will allow more people to get employed and reduce the unemployment rate. — With Jocelyn Montemayor

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