BY GLENDA TAYONA AND DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
ILOILO City – The pediatric vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in this southern city is finally kicking off today.
At least 150 pre-registered kids aged 12 to 17 years old will get their first dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the St. Paul’s Hospital Iloilo (SPHI).
The Department of Health (DOH) earlier recommended vaccination should be hospital-based.
Joining the pilot activity are DOH-6 director Dr. Mariano Suba-an, Mayor Jerry Treñas and SPHI director Sr. Arcelita Sarnillo, among others.
According to Treñas, National Task Force for COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez and deputy chief implementer Vivencio Dizon assured him of enough Pfizer jabs for kids’ inoculation.
COVID team focal person, Dr. Roland Jay Fortuna, said minors with comorbidities are the first to receive the vaccine today.
The city will expand the inoculation for minors on Nov. 2 to its mega vaccination sites that are in proximity of hospitals (in case of any adverse reaction): Ateneo de Iloilo near Qualimed Hospital; SM City near Medicus Medical Center; Robinsons-Jaro near West Visayas State University Medical Center; University of San Agustin near St. Paul’s Hospital Iloilo; and Megaworld near The Medical City Iloilo.
Iloilo City is targeting to vaccinate 50,000 youngsters.
Treñas said all mega vaccination centers will no longer require the pre-registration of minors and will be open even for non-residents but studying in Iloilo City.
“Parents only need to bring IDs and sign the consent form onsite,” he said.
Pre-registration sites are located at SM City North Wing (fronting Café Iloilo); Festive Mall cyber area; Globe vaccination booths in district plazas from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; Atria on Thursday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and barangays.
“I urge the parents of these minors to pre-register their children for vaccination. It is a great gift we can give to our children and our family when the entire household is vaccinated, and provided protection from severe COVID-19 and death,” Treñas said.
On the other hand, the provincial government of Negros Occidental targets to inoculate 300 to 400 minors, according to Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz.
The launching of pediatric vaccination will be held at the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City.
It would soon expand to the Cadiz District Hospital in Cadiz City, and the Lorenzo Zayco District Hospital in Kabankalan City./PN
