The Philippine Pediatric Society Western Visayas (PPS-WV) chapter has encouraged all parents and guardians to have their children aged 5 to 11 vaccinated against COVID-19.

The group of paediatricians emphasized that vaccination is still the most effective way to protect children from the viral disease and its complications.

“Let us show our love for our children by giving them additional protection against COVID-19,” said PPS-WV chapter president Dr. Teresa C. Martirez-Hallegado.

The group released a statement supporting the government’s the COVID-19 vaccination program of the pediatric population.

According to PPS-WV, children 5-11 years old are at a higher risk to develop the more severe COVID-19, like MIS-C or Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome, a condition that can affect almost all of the organ systems of the body most especially the heart.

The child with MIS-C may develop myocarditis or inflammation of the heart. This Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome can develop 2-6 weeks after a child had COVID, even if the infection was mild or asymptomatic.

But the doctors’ society pointed out that out of 8.7 million doses of vaccine given to children 5-11 years old from Nov. 3 to Dec. 19, 2021, only a few experience adverse effects, citing a “pivotal” study from the United States.

Mostly of these are pain at the injection sites, fatigue and headache which may signify that the body is building protection.

“These were mostly pain at the injection sites, fatigue and headache which may signify that the body is building protection. There were 11 cases of myocarditis reported out of the 8.7 million doses, which were mild and have recovered with no death reported to be causally related to the vaccine,” the PPS-WV said

“Recent US reports on children 12-18 years old who were given 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccine showed that the incidence of MIS-C was reduced by 91% and 95% of children admitted for COVID were unvaccinated,” it continued.

In the Philippines, as of Jan. 23, 2022, more than 7 million children (12- 17 years old) were already given one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

So far, the adverse effects noted were mostly non severe like dizziness, pain at the injection sites, pyrexia, headache and increase in blood pressure which were transient and mild.

The group noted that there were two cases of myocarditis and one case of pericarditis reported, although the causal link to the vaccine is still being reviewed. These cases were mild and have recovered.

“Although these rare cases of myocarditis and pericarditis were observed, the benefits of vaccination still outweigh the risk because as of January 20, 2022, DOH has already recorded a total of 396,730 cases of pediatric COVID-19. These cases can now be prevented because pediatric vaccination is now available (except for 0-4 years old),” the group explained.IMT

Photo by Arnold Almacen/CMO