By Pearl Gumapos
The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday (Jan. 29) said preparations for the COVID-19 vaccination rollout of children ages five to 11 years old are well underway.
“Patuloy ang ating paghahanda sa vaccination ng 5 to 11 [years old]. Sisimulan na natin ito ng Feb. 4, pero ang initial rollout ay the whole week of Feb. 4 to 11,” DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said during the Laging Handa public briefing.
“Ang ating target ay 15.5 million. Iyan ang nasa datos ng PSA [ Philippine Statistics Authority]. Gagawin natin by tranches kasi depende sa bakuna na darating,” she added.
BASAHIN: Ayon kay Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje, patuloy ang ginagawang paghahanda para sa nalalapit na rollout ng pediatric vaccination para sa age bracket ng 5-11 anyos.
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— PTVph (@PTVph) January 29, 2022
Cabotaje said that instead of first vaccinating children with comorbidities like with minors aged 12 to 17 years old, vaccination sites should forgo that policy.
“Hindi kagaya noong 12 to 17 years old na nauna ang may comorbidity. Gusto natin mas mabilis ang bakunahan kaya pagsasabayan natin iyong pagbakuna ng mga comorbidity at walang comorbidity,” Cabotaje said.
Meanwhile, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a presentation last Friday (Jan. 28) that the vaccine to be used in the vaccination of the younger age group is Pfizer, which the Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization for.
LOOK: DOH shares updates on the COVID-19 vaccination of 5- to 11- year-olds which will begin on Feb. 4, 2022 (1/2) pic.twitter.com/yjxBbkOZNW
— PTVph (@PTVph) January 28, 2022
There will be two doses with an interval of three weeks between the first dose and second dose.
According to Vergeire, parents, after vaccination, can take care of their children at home and that mild reactions are expected to last only up to 48 hours.
Children can take paracetamol after vaccination, and only when they’re showing symptoms of pain or fever, Vergeire said.
“We do not recommend aspirin to address fever,” she added. -ag
