ILOILO City – The Department of Health (DOH) aims to vaccinate against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) 1,080,597 children in Western Visayas between five to 11 years old. The tentative rollout date is Feb.14.
DOH Region 6 is campaigning for children’s inoculation, pointing out that 12 percent or 21,713 of the total confirmed COVID-19 cases in the region are children below 17 years old.
“Sa aton mga ginikanan, mga lola kag lolo kag sa mga guardians, indi kamo magkahadlok magpabakuna sang inyo kabataan. Gin studyohan ang aton bakuna,” said Dr. Renilyn Reyes, DOH Region 6 Public Health Development Program Cluster (PHDPC) head.
Parental consent for pediatric vaccination will be an “absolute requirement” prior to the vaccination, according to Presidential Adviser on COVID-19 Response, Secretary Vince Dizon in Metro Manila yesterday.
No child will be vaccinated unless their parents or guardian will give consent, he stressed.
Here’s the breakdown of the vaccination targets for children per province and highly urbanized city in the region:
* Aklan – 84,356
* Antique – 95,437
* Capiz – 102,122
* Guimaras – 24,354
* Iloilo – 267,470
* Negros Occidental – 363,249
* Bacolod City – 81,737
* Iloilo City – 61,872
Reyes said almost half (43 percent) or 9,403 of the confirmed COVID-19 cases among the region’s children were aged 12 to 17 years old.
Data also showed that 15,082 or 68.8 percent of the total cases were asymptomatic.
The regional health office also logged 62 deaths among pediatric cases, 27 of them under five years old.
“May mga kabataan gid man nga nagkalamatay tungod sang COVID infection or complication…basi may mga comorbidities ini sila,” said Reyes.
A reformulated Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be used for kids between five to 11 years old.
According to Reyes, these vaccines were delivered to Metro Manila from abroad last week. Western Visayas is expected to get its share this week.
“Ini nga Pfizer vaccine lain sa Pfizer vaccine sang aton 12 to 17 years old vaccinees and those for the adult population. This has been reformulated para safe sa aton kabataan five to 11 years old,” Reyes stressed.
To avert confusion Pfizer resorted to color-coding the vaccine.
The one with the orange cap is for children between five to 11 years old. It is a dilute-to-use, multi-dose vial (10 doses per vial). It is administered at .2 mL (10 mcg), and once thawed, it can be stored at +2 to +8 degree Celsius for 10 weeks.
The one with the purple cap is for youngsters between 12 to 17 years old. It is also dilute-to-use, multi-dose (six doses per vial), administered at .3 mL (30mcg), and once thawed can be stored at +2 to +8 degree Celsius for 30 days.
“Gamay lang ang dose sang bakuna, 10 micrograms kada injection. Ang adults naton 30 micrograms kada injection,” Reyes added.
The vaccination for these kids’ age group can be had at the designated vaccination sites of local government units (LGUs).
Vaccination activities and schedules may vary depending on the rollout scheme of the LGUs and health facilities.
Reyes said the same protocols during the vaccination of youngsters between 12 to 17 years old will be implemented for this younger age group.
The child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, both with proof of relationships such as valid identification card of child and of parent or guardian, with picture.
For kids with comorbidities, a medical certificate as clearance from his or her doctor for the vaccination must be presented.
Parents or guardians are also advised to bring writing materials like ballpen and use well-fitted face mask and face shield (required in medical settings), alcohol, fan, and water as necessary.
Reyes said COVID-19 vaccines protect against severe disease and death.
“We have this kind of strategy which is cocoon protection or cocooning – vaccinating eligible 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 pa gid nga wala pa gid nabakunahan, especially those below five years old,” Reyes said./PN
