FILE PHOTO: Parents accompanying their children scheduled to be inoculated with Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), queue during the vaccine rollout for children with comorbidities, in Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines, October 15, 2021. REUTERS/Lisa Marie David
MANILA, Philippines — As COVID-19 vaccination for children 5 to 11 years old started, many kids have already visited inoculation sites to get protection against the severe respiratory disease.
And like any vaccination drive involving children, the sight of kids reluctant of getting the shot, fearing the pain caused by needles, is common.
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto encountered such a kid during the local government’s rollout of pediatric vaccination, and he made his best effort to calm the child the only way he knows how: being witty.
In a Twitter post, Sotto recounted that the 10-year-old child was scared of getting the shot that they had to wait for him for five minutes to calm down.
“Natakot siya magpabakuna (10 y.o.) 5 mins namin siyang inantay sabi ko di ako aalis hanggat di pa siya tapos,” he tweeted.
(He got scared. We waited for him for five minutes to calm down. I told him I won’t leave until he gets vaccinated.)
To soothe and encourage the child, Sotto talked to him, telling him that it won’t hurt, at least not just yet.
“Para Lumakas ang loob niya, sabi ko sa kanya, “Wag kang mag-alala, 1 second lang masakit yan. Mamayang gabi pa yung SOBRANG SAKIT,” he said.
(To encourage him, I told him that it would only hurt for one second. The real pain will be felt until later that night.)
Natakot siya magpabakuna (10 y.o.) 5 mins namin siyang inantay sabi ko di ako aalis hanggat di pa siya tapos.
Para Lumakas ang loob niya, sabi ko sa kanya, "Wag kang mag-alala, 1 second lang masakit yan. Mamayang gabi pa yung SOBRANG SAKIT." pic.twitter.com/ufobNOsNPS
— Vico Sotto (@VicoSotto) February 9, 2022
He seemed successful though because the child eventually got vaccinated, as seen in the photo he posted.
Many netizens were amused by the mayor’s sense of humor and were quick to comment.
“Please don’t try this on people older than 10, Mayor. Baka i-hold nila ang line forever. XD,” one netizen wrote.
(They may hold the line forever.)
Some netizens asked Sotto if he can accompany them when they get vaccinated or get their booster shots.
“Mayor pwede pa bantay din ako. Takot akong masaktan,” the netizen wrote.
(Mayor can you please accompany me, too? I’m afraid of getting hurt.)
“Mayor magpa-booster po ako wag ka din aalis sa tabi ko hahaha charot!” another one tweeted.
(Mayor, I will also get a booster shot. Don’t leave my side also.)
In a separate tweet, Sotto said Pasig City was able to inoculate 1,650 kids against COVID-19 on Wednesday, February 9.
Kickoff of our Vaccination for 5-11 year olds
4 sites, 1,650 kids for the dry run.
Buting, Manggahan, PCGH (comorbidities), and SM East Ortigas (partnership with private sector). NO walk-in; REGISTER YOUR KIDS NOW through their PasigPass accounts.#BakunaNgPagasa #Resbakuna pic.twitter.com/MyJZPB5Ct1
— Vico Sotto (@VicoSotto) February 9, 2022
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