Vaccination for children aged 5-11 kicks off in Boracay Island

PHOTO: A child receives COVID-19 vaccination . Tourism chief Berna Romulo-Puyat consoles a child who is afraid of the vaccine. INQUIRERnet/John Eric Mendoza

BORACAY, Philippines — The ceremonial COVID-19 vaccination of children aged 5-11 kicked off here on Friday noon.

The ceremonial vaccination of handful of kids took place in the Paradise Garden Resort in Boracay.

Cartoon characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Doraemon and Winnie the Pooh joined the event to encourage the kids to get the jab.

Department of Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, who graced the event, said that Boracay is the “first island tourist destination” where pediatric vaccination took place.

The vaccination of 5-11 children began on Monday, February 7 at Metro Manila.

The government is only using Pfizer vaccine for aged 5-11 years old since it is the only vaccine granted emergency use authority by the Philippines’ Food and Drug Administration for this age group.

Meanwhile, a ceremonial vaccination for booster shots also took place in Citymall Boracay earlier.

As of February 4, 87 percent or 28,008 out of 32,113 eligible population of Boracay are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to DOT.

As for tourism workers, 99.30 percent or 17,874 out of 18,000 workers are also fully immunized against the new coronavirus.

More than half or 52.20 percent or 1,566 out of 3,000 pediatric population — aged 18 years old below —  are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

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EDV