GOVERNMENT yesterday officially kicked off the nationwide implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination program in 482 centers nationwide for children aged five to 11.
The “Resbakuna Kids” launching held at the Theatre in Solaire in Parañaque City was attended by COVID response officials led by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., and presidential adviser for COVID Response Vince Dizon, and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivares,
Duque appealed to parents to have to their children vaccinated as he reiterated that pediatric vaccines are safe and effective.
Galvez assured parents the country has enough pediatric vaccines to cover the first and second doses. He said six million doses more of Pfizer vaccines are set to arrive in the country this month.
He also said that since the launch last week, 91,000 to 100,000 children aged between five and 11 have already been vaccinated.
He said nine million minors aged 12 to 17 years are also now fully vaccinated nationwide.
Galvez reiterated that the vaccination of the 5-11 age group is meant not just to protect the children against the COVID-19 but also to prepare them for the resumption of face-to-face classes.
He and Duque said the children have been locked up at home for two years now and the chance to meet their friends and classmates physically and play with them in person will be good for the mental health of the children.
Dizon said if all the children are fully vaccinated as planned and on schedule, the country may be able to resume the face-to-face classes either in June or August.
Students are currently undergoing blended learning or a combination of online classes, use of modules and books. Limited face-to-face classes are also held in selected schools in areas with low COVID cases.
Even as the vaccination program has expanded to young kids, a big part of senior citizens group and thousands of people with comorbidities in the National Capital Region (NCR) remain unvaccinated.
In a briefing, Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said 2.5 million senior citizens (A2 in the government vaccine priority list) and 222,000 people with comorbidities (A3) in Metro Manila remain with COVID-19 vaccines.
As of February 9, about 6.25 million senior citizens and around 9 million people with comorbidities have been fully vaccinated.
Cabotaje, head of the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC), said they will enhance strategies, like house-to-house vaccination for the seniors and strengthening partnerships with hospitals to reach people with comorbidities.
PMA EVENT
The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) is requiring its alumni and guests who are attending the annual PMA alumni homecoming in Baguio City on Saturday to present negative RT-PCR test if they are not yet vaccinated against COVID-19.
“They have to bring negative RT-PCR taken within 24 hours (before the event),” said PMA spokeswoman 1Lt. Christine Mae Calima.
As to the fully-vaccinated, Calima said they only need to present their vaccination cards and antigen test prior to entry.
The same rule applies to the PMA Alumni Association Inc (PMAAAI) general assembly on Friday, also in Baguio City, said Calima.
“…(A)ll alumni, guests and visitors who are fully COVID-19 vaccinated are required to present vaccination cards and negative antigen test results, taken 24 hours before attending the PMA activities, before they will be allowed to enter the premises of the academy,” said Calima.
The PMA, which is the major source of military officers in the country, has been imposing health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of the disease inside its premises.
Calima said the PMA is making sure health protocols will be followed during the events.
Calima said only 800 individuals will be allowed at the PMA grandstand, the venue of the alumni homecoming. The PMAAAI general assembly, which will also be held at the grandstand, will be limited to 400 attendees only, she added. The alumni are not allowed to bring family members, she also said. — With Gerard Naval and Victor Reyes
