HEALTH (DOH) Secretary Francisco T. Duque III yesterday led the “Bayanihan, Bakunahan – Kids ang Bida” Pediatric Vaccination for children ages 5-11 at the San Fernando North Central School and at the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center in La Union during his visit to the province.
“Sa mga magulang na hindi pa napapabakunahan ang kanilang mga anak, manyari po na dalhin nu sila sa ating mga vaccination sites upang maibigay sa kanila ang nararapat na bakuna panlaban sa Covid-19. Marami na pong batang nakatanggap nito at wala pong naidulot na anumang masamang epekto sa kanilang kalusugan. Ito po ay sertipikado ng mga eksperto, ito po ay ligtas gamitin at ito po ay libreng ibibigay sa inyo,” Duque stated in his message during the immunization activity.
“Ang ating mga health workers ay walang hinto at patuloy na nagsasakripisyo upang maibigay sa inyo ang napakahalagang bakunang ito upang ang inyong mga anak ay protektado at lumaking malusog at ligtas sa Covid virus.”
As of March 4, 2022, a total of 30,603 children aged 5-11 years old were already vaccinated. It already surpassed the initial target of 25k during the start of the vaccination campaign. There are 73,133 children aged 5-11 years old in region 1.
Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco reiterated that pediatric vaccination is not mandatory and consent from parents or guardians must be presented before a child can be vaccinated.
She added, however, that getting children vaccinated against COVID-19 remains to be the best protection against severe and critical symptoms of the virus. Pediatric vaccination will continue in the region until supply lasts.
“Sa pagbubukas ng ating ekonomiya at pagbaba ng ating alert level sa rehiyon, patuloy po nating ipatupad at gawin ang mga minimum health protocols upang patuloy tayong maproteksiyonan laban sa Covid-19. Protecting ourselves and our children also means protecting our community,” Sydiongco concluded.
