“Have your children vaccinated against Covid-19.”
This was the Philippine Educators Alliance for Community Empowerment Party-list’s appeal to parents as government expands its Covid-19 vaccination for minors nationwide next month.
“Ang malawakang pagbakuna, kasama na ang mga kabataan, ay susi sa pagbabalik-eskwela natin.”
“Ang malawakang pagbakuna, kasama na ang mga kabataan, ay susi sa pagbabalik-eskwela natin. Pabakunahan po natin ang mga anak natin nang hindi patuloy na nakabinbin ang kinabukasan nila,” PEACE Party-list president and first nominee Marilyn Paz T. Abante said.
Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. said on Wednesday that the vaccination of children aged 12 to 17 outside Metro Manila may start as early as November 3.
The pilot run for the inoculation for the said age group was launched this month in 28 hospitals in Metro Manila.
The Department of Health reported that as of October 26, 18,666 minors with comorbidities received their first dose during the said pilot run.
Abante urged the government to educate parents about the need to vaccinate children, amid a drop in childhood immunization coverage in recent years.
“Due to vaccine controversies such as the Dengvaxia issue, many parents have skipped the inoculation of their children over fears that vaccines are not safe.
“This is a major issue that the government has to comprehensively address and greater efforts should be applied to convince parents of the necessity of vaccines,” the long-time educator added.
According to UNICEF, childhood immunization coverage has seen a sharp decline in recent years from 87 per cent in 2014 to 68 per cent in 2019.
“Kailangang makumbinsi natin ang mga magulang na ligtas at epektibo ang bakuna kontra-Covid-19. The vaccines are the most potent protection available and will be crucial in reclaiming their future, which has been set back by the closure of schools,” Abante said.
She also urged parents to consult with doctors if they have concerns regarding the safety of vaccines for their children.
“Kung may mga pangamba po tayo, huwag po tayong magpadala sa mga haka-haka at sabi-sabi. Ang pinakamainam pong gawin natin ay kumonsulta sa ating mga doktor, lumapit sa mga health center nang maliwanagan tayo.”
“Kung may mga pangamba po tayo, huwag po tayong magpadala sa mga haka-haka at sabi-sabi. Ang pinakamainam pong gawin natin ay kumonsulta sa ating mga doktor, lumapit sa mga health center nang maliwanagan tayo,” said Abante.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that there are around 12.7 million children aged 12 to 17 in 2021. So far, only Pfizer and Moderna have been approved for administration to minors.
