Mass vaccination among children with comorbidities will start soon
Mass vaccination among children with comorbidities or pediatric A3 priority group aged 12 to 17 years old will start this coming November 12, after its kick-off ceremony last October 29.
Mary Agnes Pandon, Nurse Coordinator for National Immunization Program of the Department of Health (DOH) XII thoroughly discussed the importance of Pediatric Covid-19 vaccination.
During the conduct of strategic COVID-19 Vaccination Communication and Demand Generation Meeting with Information Coordinating Network (ICON-12), Pandon said that the agency is expanding the vaccination program intended for this group emphasizing the protection for children against the perilous virus and with the absence of a curative medicine, the availability of the vaccines is an essential tool to help mitigate the ill-effect of the virus.
She explained further that, unlike other priority groups, extra preparations for the eligible A3 category must be done that include:
- Discussion of vaccine-specific risks and benefits with their attending physicians and obtain medical clearance;
- On the vaccination day, the A3 group may bring any proof of comorbidities such as medical certificate, prescription for medicine, hospital records or surgical records, pathology reports and birth certificate; and
- Must be accompanied by parents or a guardian who is 21 years old and must show identification card as proof.
Meanwhile, Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are spared for comorbid children however, Pandon assured that they cannot be forced to get vaccinated if they do not want to.
On the other hand, City Health Education and Promotion Officer (HEPO) Glenn Mar Doctolero said those belong to eligible A3 who want to avail jabs must need to register first at their Barangay Health Unit (BHU) to obtain a priority number and be properly instructed in preparation for inoculation.
While immunization for eligible A3 priorities is being carried out, shots in other priority groups will continue as well as mobile vaccination in the barangays.
Following the success of the city’s vaccinators’ team on the conduct of barangay mobile vaccination wherein they exceeded the weekly target of 1,300 set by the DOH XII, OIC City Health Officer Dr. Stephen Mortera was grateful to the Koronadaleño for their positive response on the said program.
With everyone’s cooperation, Mortera is optimistic enough that populace in far flung areas will also be vaccinated which is the goal of this program.