DOH: Ilocos region targets to vaccinate 25,000 kids vs COVID-19 in 5 days

A child gets vaccinated against COVID-19 in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur province during the launch of the pediatric vaccination for 5-11 years old on Monday, Feb. 14. | PHOTO: Vigan City government

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte—The Department of Health (DOH) in the Ilocos region is eyeing to vaccinate at least 25,000 children ages 5 to 11 years old during the weeklong national vaccination drive from Monday until Friday (Feb. 14-18).

According to the regional DOH, there are 16 vaccination sites across the region that will cater to the age group.

Over 700,000 children in the region belonging to the age group are eligible to receive the vaccine, with 469,396 kids in Pangasinan province, 102,618 in La Union, 87,860 in Ilocos Sur, 71,460 in Ilocos Norte, and 27,492 in Dagupan City, data from the DOH showed.

In a statement, DOH Regional Director Paula Paz Sydiongco said the Pfizer vaccine, which will be used during the vaccination drive, had been granted an Emergency Use Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration.

She said that the vaccines are safe and effective and could provide the needed protection against the virus.

On Feb. 12, the regional DOH also reported that it was the top region in the country to administer the most number of booster shots during the National Vaccination Days last Feb. 10 and 11.

“We have administered a total of 21,361 doses out of the 160,317 targets, for a total of 13.32 percent as of Feb. 11. We will endeavor to accomplish our vaccination goals until Feb. 18 in order to provide the needed protection to our residents against the virus,” said Sydiongco.

The regional DOH said that there were no serious adverse events during the conduct of the two-day NVD in the region.

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