By Christine Fabro
The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday (Aug. 17) urged the adult population to protect children from contracting COVID-19 by first protecting themselves through getting vaccinated.
In a public briefing on Tuesday, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the “cocoon” strategy can prevent young members of the household who are not eligible for vaccination from getting the disease.
“Ito po iyong tinatawag na cocoon strategy kung saan, kung mababakunahan natin iyong mga nakapalibot sa ating mga kabataan, iyong mga kasama sa bahay, we will also be able to protect the children inside their homes,” Vergeire said.
“Kung tayo pong mga matatanda sa bahay ay protektado gamit ng mga bakuna at palagiang sumusunod sa ating minimum public health standards, tayo po mismo ang magsisilbing proteksiyon sa ating mga kabataan sa loob ng bahay laban sa COVID-19,” she added.
The medical expert also explained that the Prevent, Detect, Isolate, Treat, and Reintegrate (PDITR+) Strategy works across all settings, even among the pediatric population.
For children below two years old who need to go out of their houses for medical reasons, wearing of face shields is advised as face masks may “choke or strangulate.”
“Ang pagsuot ng face mask ay hindi pinapayo or is not recommended: Una, doon sa mga batang wala pang dalawang taong gulang; pangalawa, kung nahihirapang huminga ang bata kapag nakasuot ng mask; pangatlo, kung ang bata ay may cognitive o respiratory impairments or conditions; pang-apat, kung may panganib na ma-choke o ma-strangulate ang bata kapag nagsusuot ng mask kaya hindi na po muna natin sila pinagsusuot if they are less than two years old,” Vergeire said.
Sec. Vergeire reiterated the Health department’s call for all eligible individuals to get jabbed and follow the minimum public health standards set by the national government.
As of Aug. 16, the total number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the Philippines is 28,308,493. – rir
