Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar has expressed support for the move by some local government units (LGUs) to require a parent or guardian’s consent before a child aged 5 to 11 gets vaccinated against COVID-19.
Amid encouraging parents to have their children get anti-COVID shots, Eleazar said the final decision on the kid’s vaccination really depends on the parents.
“The government’s initiative to vaccinate as many Filipinos that include children is essential in the fight against the COVID-19 but this should not take away the right of the parents to decide on matters concerning their children,” said Eleazar who is running for senator.
“I support the statement of SILG (Secretary of the Interior and Local Government) Eduardo Año on the decision of some LGUs to require parental consent because this is the proper of doing it. Kung hindi na natin puwedeng pilitin ang mga nasa edad na magpabakuna, huwag din nating gawin ito sa mga bata na wala pang sapat na kaalaman para magdesisyon para sa kanilang sarili,” he added.
Earlier, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said that presenting parent’s consent before allowing the vaccination of children against COVID-19 is a “requirement.’’
Eleazar stressed: “Imbes na magpilitan, tutukan na lang natin ang information drive para makumbinsi ang mga magulang na ipabakuna ang kanilang mga anak.”
According to Eleazar, the aggressive information dissemination can assist the parents in their decision-making process with regard to the vaccination of their children.
“Marami pa rin talaga ang natatakot o nagdadalawang-isip na pabakunahan ang kanilang mga anak laban sa COVID-19. Pagtulung-tulungan nating mahikayat sila para maprotektahan ang kanilang mga anak laban sa nakakahawang sakit na ito,” the Partido Reporma candidate said.
The pilot vaccination of those five to 11 years old will begin on February 7.
Some vaccination sites have prepared a theme to encourage children get vaccinated.
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