1,116 Bontoc minors get anti-Covid jabs

By Alpine L. Killa

BONTOC, Mountain Province - A total of 1,116 minors aged 12-17 years were given first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines early November to last until the end of the month. 
    Bontoc started pediatric vaccination program Nov. 3 at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol.
    This was a joint undertaking of the Bontoc local government through the Municipal Health Office, the Dept. of Health and Provincial Government through the Provincial Health Office, Bontoc General Hospital, and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
    Mayor Franklin Odsey cited parents and guardians who gave consent for their children to be vaccinated and accompanied them in the vaccination area.
    Municipal immunization program coordinator Oliver Gacusana said guardians and parents earlier filed up consent forms.
    He added the Municipal Health Office did not receive reports of severe side effects from the minors who received their jabs.
    Officials said vaccination of minors like high school-age students will protect them as they adapt to "new normal education" such as online and modular classes.
    Madelyn Tudlong, health worker and a mother said that she and her husband gave consent for their daughter to be vaccinated because they believe the vaccine was effective protection against Covid-19 and to help reaching herd immunity which is 70% of the population.
    "Personally, allowing our child to get vaccinated is our responsibility as parents," she added.
    Siblings Joshua and Alvin Balio said they had their Covid-19 vaccines and may be allowed to attend face-to-face classes should Mountain Province be included in pilot test classes of the Dept. of Education.
    The siblings added they were updated on the virus through the radio program of their mother, media practitioner Donna Cawis Balio.
    "When I go out and do my outdoor activities, I am confident that I am protected. The fear of contracting the virus is not like before," Alexis, 13, said.
    Philippine drug regulators granted emergency use authorization to Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for minors as young as 12 in June and September, respectively.