First day of pediatric vaccination for aged 5 to 11 a ‘success’ with more than 13,000 children vaccinated vs COVID-19 – Galvez

MANDALUYONG CITY – National Task Force against COVID-19 Chief Implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. said the first day of the pilot rollout of the ‘Resbakuna Kids’ vaccination program for children ages 5 to 11 years-old was a success, with no adverse events recorded among the more than 13,000 children who received the first dose of the COVID-19 jab.

“Naging maayos at matagumpay ang ating initial rollout sa anim na vaccination sites dito sa Manila at meron po tayong more or less 33 vaccination sites nationwide,” Galvez told reporters during the rollout of the vaccination program for the said age group at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday.

“Nakita namin sa ngayon we were able to overcome the challenges at tama ‘yung assessment namin na talagang very minimal ‘yung magiging adverse effect. Based sa report na ibinigay sa akin, isang minor rash lang ang nareport sa Parañaque and nothing else,” he added.

Galvez thanked the vaccinators, pediatricians, and medical personnel for ensuring the safe and smooth conduct of the inoculation for children.

The vaccine czar assured parents that the reformulated Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are very safe and effective, citing the success of the United States in vaccinating their adolescent population.

Trust the vaccine

“Let us be confident na talagang itong ating mga bakuna reformulated ito, it is good for children. The U.S. and other countries are already vaccinating children at nakita natin na walang major side effects,” Galvez

Galvez said the vaccination program for the 5 to 11 age group will be expanded in the regions and provinces on February 14.

Aside from the first batch of 780,000 reformulated doses, the national government is expecting to receive an additional 5.2 million doses of the reformulated Pfizer vaccine this month.

After administering the COVID-19 jab, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III reminded vaccinators to closely monitor the child within 30 minutes to one hour for any untoward reaction.

“Halimbawa nahirapan huminga, naninikip ang kanyang lalamunan, o nagkakaroon ng rashes sa katawan ibig sabihin systemic so kailangan dalhin na kaagad sa ospital para mapangasiwaan kaagad sa emergency room. Madali naman ang gamot dyan,” Duque told the vaccinators.

Duque also reported that there are about 500,000 children who have been registered for vaccination.

Following the guidance from Duque and DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje, the inoculation of the 5 to 11 age group would be carried out in a phased manner like how the government handled the vaccine rollout for adolescents aged 12 to 17.

During an online media conference facilitated by the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) on Tuesday, PPS President Joselyn Eusebio emphasized that vaccination is the best way to protect children from COVID-19 and its severe complications.

“Rest assured that as vanguards of the health of the Filipino child – the PPS and Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines – will continue to monitor data on vaccine safety, efficacy, and effectiveness and will provide updates as needed to guide COVID-19 vaccination recommendations in children,” Eusebio said.

“Mga minamahal naming magulang, ang pagbabakuna po at isang ligtas na pamamaraan upang pangalagaan ang kalusugan ng ating mga anak laban sa COVID-19. Bagamat maikli ang pag-aaral sa mga bakuna na ito dala ng matinding panganib na dala ng SARSCoV2 at sa malaking hamon na malagpasan ito, ang pagbabakuna ang isa sa mga siguradong paraan upang di lumala ang pagkakasakit at tuluyang mapuksa,” she added.

NVD 3 targets 12 and above, seniors and indigent population

The upcoming third leg of the National Vaccination Days aims to inoculate children aged ages 12 and above, including those belonging to A2 (senior citizen) and A5 (indigent population) priority groups.

“‘Yan ang gusto ni Sec. Duque na talagang maubos natin ‘yung more or less 2 million pa na A2 na natitira. And we will also try to look for other 3 million na 12 to 17 na hindi pa natin nababakunahan,” Galvez said.

The vaccine czar bared that the national government targets to administer 2 million doses for the primary series, and 4 million doses as booster shots during NVD 3.

Galvez said that all hands will be on deck, as all line agencies will be involved in the vaccination drive.

“‘Yung mga agencies already received a letter from us, [and] 36 are more than willing to participate during the vaccination days,” he said.

The third National Vaccination Days or “Bayanihan Bakunahan” is set on Feb. 10 and Feb. 11. ###