ILOILO City – Pediatricians in Region 6 urged parents to have their children vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The benefits outweigh the risks, according to the Philippine Pediatric Society – Western Visayas Chapter.
“We also encourage parents and guardians to read and listen only to information from reliable sources regarding COVID-19 infection and vaccination in order to avoid confusion,” the pediatricians added in a statement.
The national government has started rolling out COVID-19 vaccination to children from five to 11 years old.
Children in this age group are at a higher risk of developing more severe COVID-19 like the Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C) even if their 19 infection is just mild and even asymptomatic, according to the group in a statement signed by its president, Dr. Teresa Martirez-Hallegado.
MIS-C is a condition that can affect almost all of the organs of the body, most especially the heart.
“A child with MIS-C may develop myocarditis or inflammation of the heart. This can develop two to six weeks after a child has COVID-19,” according to the pediatricians.
They cited a study in the US showing that COVID-19 vaccination of children is safe and reduced the incidence of symptomatic COVID-19 by 91 percent, and that no adverse effects or deaths were recorded – except for pain at the injection site, fatigue and headache which may signify that the body is building protection.
“Let us show our love for our children by giving them additional protection against COVID-19,” the group stressed.
“So kumbaga ang benefits nga makuha sang bata sa pagpabakuna outweigs the risk nga very very small percentage lang,” said Martirez-Hallegado.
She said there were no reported adverse events in their monitoring of the pediatric vaccination rollout in three sites in the city and two sites in the province of Iloilo on Feb. 14.
The pediatric doctors monitored the inoculation at SM City Iloilo, Festive Walk at the Iloilo Business Park (Megaworld) and Robinsons Place Jaro in Iloilo City, and at the West Visayas State University Cultural Center and Robinsons Place Pavia for the rollout of the provincial government.
Martirez-Hallegado said they received reports of children crying, which was expected regardless of what type of immunization.
Parents should prepare their kids mentally and emotionally prior the inoculation, she suggested.
“Be honest with the kids. Prepare them to expect pain during the injection and in the area that will be injected. They should not be afraid and let them understand that it is an added protection,” the doctor said.
The initial rollout of the pediatric vaccination in Iloilo province served 2,043 children, Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) head Dr. Maria Socorro Quinon said on Tuesday.
The province targets to vaccinate 267, 470 children and eyeing to administer 10,000 vaccines within a week.
The Iloilo City government, meanwhile, has vaccinated 290 children.
City Health Office in-charge Annabelle Tang said the city government will open a weekend vaccination to accommodate more pediatric vaccinees.
Iloilo City targets to inoculate 61,872 children. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency/PN)
