Superheroes and even puppets helped in yesterday’s initial vaccine rollout for children aged 5 to 11. (Photo courtesy of Reuters)
IMUS, CAVITE — Himself just recovered from a recent bout of Covid-19, former Philippine National Police chief and Partido Reporma senatorial aspirant Guillermo ‘Guimo’ Eleazar expressed hope that with the positive turnout of yesterday’s vaccine rollout for minors aged five to 11, more parents would have their children vaccinated for protection against the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 or SARS-CoV-2 that causes the deadly disease.
The Department of Health (DoH) announced at the end of Tuesday’s initial rollout of Covid-19 vaccination for minors, at least 10,000 kids within the said age group were vaccinated and health authorities are hopeful that this would increase in number as the days and weeks progress.
“Maganda naman ang naging lagay ng bakunahan sa ating mga kabataan, five to 11 years old kahapon. Mayroon tayong 32 sites kung saan 9,784 na mga bata ang nabakunahan natin kahapon,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire enthused as reports came in after the vaccination sites were said to be finishing for the day’s work.
As reported, there was only one case of adverse reaction following immunization recorded among those vaccinated and to this Eleazar commented that it only indicates that the vaccines are safe and the public can fully trust the recommendations of our health experts regarding government’s pandemic response, particularly that of inoculating the country’s whole population to achieve protection from severe bouts of Covid-19.
“Ako na mismo dinapuan ng sakit kaya nag-isolate ako hanggang sa gumaling ako. Buti na lang bakunado na ako kaya hindi malala ang naging sakit ko. Patunay ito na kailangan nating magpabakuna para mabigyan tayo ng depensa laban sa severe na kaso ng Covid-19,” the retired general pointed out.
The DoH earlier said that it is targeting to vaccinate over 15 million children aged five to 11 and in this the former PNP chief and also ex-commander of the Task Force Covid Shield fully agreed to the importance and necessity of vaccinating everyone.
“Kailangan nating gawin ito kasi hindi na mawawala ang Covid at bahagi na ng buhay natin bilang mga tao na magkaroon ng iba’t ibang saakit. We just have to learn how to live with it under the new normal so we have to be vigilant, cautious and responsible for each other’s health,” he concluded saying.
