By Pearl Gumapos
Philippine Medical Association (PMA) President Dr. Benito Atienza on Monday (Feb. 14) said that out of the 69,800 children who have received their COVID-19 vaccine, the Department of Health did not record any major adverse effects after their vaccination.
Atienza also said that there’s still a long way to go before reaching the 15 million target.
“Iyong babakunahan nating mga kabataang 5-11, ang dami niyan, 15.8-M. Ang nababakunahan pa lang natin [5-11 age group] until Friday, ang nabakunahan pa lang is 69,800 sa 54 [pilot] vaccination sites,” Atienza said.
“Sana mabilis ang pagbabakuna natin. As of now, sa mga bata, ang worry natin ay 15.8-M pa ang babakunahan. Ang nababakunahan pa lang ngayon is 70-K, buong Pilipinas na iyon,” he said.
There are currently 318 new vaccination sites for children aged 5-11 across the country.
Twelve are located in Region 6 and 47 in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
“Alam natin na itong BARMM o Bangsamoro, ito iyong pinaka-kaunti ang nababakunahan in general. Ngayon, naglagay sila ng maraming bakunahan para sa mga bata,” Atienza said. – bny