306 kids aged 5-11 jabbed in Bontoc

By Alpine Killa-Malwagay and Elizabeth S. Farnican

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Bontoc local government through its Municipal Health Office started vaccinating 5-11-year-old kids Feb. 21, here in an “encanto”-inspired vaccination rollout.  
    As of Feb. 23, a total of 306 children aged 5 -11 years old were vaccinated with anti-Covid shots.
    Municipal Health Officer, Dr. Diga Kay Gomez, said they designed the vaccination site at the Bontoc municipal capitol auditorium with the latest Disney animated film, Encanto to ease the anxiety of children who are to be inoculated. Loot bags were given to the first 110 children who received their jabs. 
    Dr. Gomez is encouraging the parents or guardians to have their children aged 5-11 vaccinated for their safety and protection.
    Vaccination for the said age group was at the Bontoc auditorium while the vaccination area for age 12 and above was at Bontoc municipal capitol lobby.
    According to municipal immunization program coordinator Oliver Gacusana, they did not receive any report of adverse effects from parents and children following immunization, which include rashes in the extremities, itchy throat, vomiting, and pain in the site with chills.
    In an interview with 11-year old Amrylee Kaye Baysa from Barangay Caluttit, she said she willingly got vaccinated so she could attend limited face-to-face classes. Meanwhile, Joy Baysa who accompanied her daughter said the Covid-19 vaccine was for protection and safety of her child.

She added getting her child vaccinated was in preparation for limited face-to-face classes. 

Seven-year-old Kalel Bacwaden from Barangay Bontoc Ili said he did not feel any pain after he received his Covid-19 vaccine jab.

He added he wanted to get vaccinated so he can travel with his aunt. 

Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey cited high and positive response from parents and guardians for allowing their children to get vaccinated.

He lauded the children for their courage. 

The mayor cited health workers of the Bontoc local government and its partner agencies for their effort in the Covid-19 vaccination rollout.

Partner agencies of the Bontoc LGU during the launching of the Resbakuna Kids (5-11 years old) were Dept. of Health provincial office, provincial health office, Bontoc General Hospital, Bureau of Fire Protection, Dept. of Education, and Philippine National Police. 

To date, the Pfizer vaccine is being used for pediatric vaccination as it is the only jab that has received emergency use approval for kids aged 5 to 11 years old from the Food and Drug Administration. 

The Pfizer vaccine for children has a lower dosage and lower concentration than those given to minors aged 12 to 17, who started receiving their jabs last year.