DOH targets COVID-19 vaccination of 1.5M kids in Calabarzon

Department of Health Philippines | INQUIRER.net file photo

LUCENA CITY––The Department of Health (DOH) in Calabarzon is targetting vaccination against COVID-19 of more than 1.5 million children aged 5 to 11 in the region.

The ramping up of vaccination for the said age group dubbed “BIDAng Bulilit, Protektado sa COVID! Let’s ResbakULIT” in the region from May 23 to June 30 would initially focus on Quezon province, the DOH-Calabarzon said in a statement.

DOH-Calabarzon director Dr. Ariel Valencia said at least 266,966 children under that age group remained unvaccinated in Quezon. Another 9,141 kids were also due for their second doses.

As of May 19, the Regional Vaccination Operations Center (RVOC) reported 1,541,791 unvaccinated 5-11 year old children in Calabarzon. They are in Batangas, with 291,367; Cavite, 362,034; Laguna, 320,414; Rizal – 301,011; and Quezon, 266,966.

A total of 337,633 children from the same group in the region are now fully vaccinated, while 421,491 had their initial dose, said the DOH.

Valencia emphasized the importance of a concerted effort between the DOH and local governments in the intensified vaccination campaign for children.

The DOH-Calabarzon health workers and the local government units will conduct an intensified inoculation campaign again through house-to-house or mobile vaccination activities, bandillo (resbakuna jingle), and leaflet dissemination.

The success of the vaccination drive for children would be possible only through unified action by the DOH, local governments, and other stakeholders said Valencia.

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