Benguet to launch vaccination for children on Feb. 16
By Redjie Melvic Cawis
(Top photo) Provincial Health Officer 1 Dr. Meliarazon Dulay
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) — Parents and guardians in Benguet are encouraged to allow their children to get COVID-19 vaccines to help protect them against the severe effects of virus.
Provincial Health Officer 1 Dr. Meliarazon Dulay said that the province will launch the vaccination for 5 to 11 years old children on Wednesday (February 16, 2022).
The “Resbakuna Kids” will kick off with a program set at 8:00 AM at the Benguet State University in this capital town. It will be spearheaded by the provincial government of Benguet thru the PHO with the local government of La Trinidad, the Department of Health-Cordillera, the Philippine Pediatric Society, the Benguet General Hospital, Cordillera Hospital of the Divine Grace and other partners.
Dulay said that the province is targeting more than 60,000 children for this “Resbakuna Kids” campaign.
The national government rolled out the COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 5 to 11 years old last February 7 and will be implemented in a phased approach utilizing both hospital-based and local government unit (LGU)-based vaccination sites, to maximize accessibility to the general public.
Dulay said the PHO has tapped the Philippine Pediatric Society to support the vaccination teams particularly on the assessment and post-vaccination monitoring of the children. She added that they are looking at other possible strategies for this vaccination drive together with the LGUs, the Department of Education and other stakeholders from others from government and private sector.
Vaccination for children will provide protection against the severe effects of the COVID-19,” Dulay said in an interview during the National Vaccination Days Part 3 in La Trinidad last Feb. 10 as she encouraged parents and guardians to bring their children during the ceremonial vaccination at the BSU and to the other schedules to be announced soon.
Children getting vaccinated will provide a safeguard for gatherings such as the re-opening of schools and the bringing back of the face-to-face classes as well.
Dulay said that while there were initial registration for the children, walk-ins will be accommodated. (JDP/RMC- PIA-CAR)
