DOH-6 aims to vaccinate over 1 million kids in WV

More than one million kids aged 5 to 11are being eyed to be vaccinated against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Western Visayas.

Dr. Renilyn Reyes, Department of Health (DOH-6) Public Health Development Program Cluster (PHDPC) head, said their target is inoculate 363, 249 kids from Negros Occidental; 267, 470 from Iloilo province; 102, 122 from Capiz; 95, 437 from Antique; 84, 356 from Aklan; 81, 737 from Bacolod City; 61,872 from Iloilo City; and 24, 354 from Guimaras.

The region will start its pediatric COVID-19 vaccination rollout on Valentine’s Day, Feb.14.

The reformulated Pfizer-BioNTech doses, which are expected to arrive this week, will be used for the pediatric vaccination.

“Amo na nga reformulated siya kay gamay lang ang dose sang bakuna, 10 micrograms kada injection, whereas ang sa adult naton 30 micrograms kada injection,” Reyes explained.

According to the medical officer, parents or guardians accompanying children to the vaccination site must present their identification cards (IDs).

Kids with comorbidities must have medical certificates.

Reyes said COVID-19 vaccines protect kids against any severe disease and death caused by the novel coronavirus.

Based on data of the DOH-6, 12 percent of the total confirmed COVID cases in the region or 21, 713 are minors.

Of the figure, 43 percent or 9, 403 are aged between 12 to 17 years old.

Sixty-eight percent or 15,082 are asymptomatic and 62 of them have died, of which 27 are below the five-year-old bracket.

“Sa aton mga ginikanan, sa aton mga lola kag lolo kag sa mga guardians, indi gid kamo magkahadlok magpabakuna sang inyo kabataan. Gin-istudyohan ang aton nga bakuna that’s why ulihi nagwa ang aton reformulated vaccine for children,” said Reyes.