DOH: 329,000 kids aged 5 to 11 now vaccinated vs COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — The government has so far vaccinated around 329,000 children aged five to 11 against COVID-19, the Department of Health (DOH) said Friday.

Of the minors vaccinated since the start of the pediatric vaccination for the said age group on February 7, only eight have experienced mild reactions which the DOH says are normal.

“Sa humigit kumulang na 329,000 nating nabakunahan, walo pa lamang po ang naitala nating non serious-adverse event. Normal po na bahagyang tumaas ang kanilang blood pressure, ‘yung iba nagkalagnat, ‘yung iba nagchills,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a Palace press briefing.

(Of the around 329,000 kids vaccinated, only eight have experienced non-serious adverse events. It is normal for some of them to have an increased blood pressure, fever, and chills.)

“Sinisiguro po ng Kagawaran na ang ating mga health workers na nasa vaccination sites ay handa para sa anumang adverse event na maaaring maramdaman ng inyong anak,” she added.

(The Department assures that health workers in vaccination sites are ready for any adverse event that may be experienced by your child.)

The DOH advised parents and guardians of minors to allay their fears about vaccination and to only believe information from trusted sources.

“Para po sa ating mga magulang na mayroon pa ring pangamba hinggil sa ating mga kabataan, naniniguro po ang Kagawaran na ang bawat bakunang ituturok ay garantisadong ligtas at epektibo,” said Vergeire.

(To parents who still have apprehensions, the Department assures you that each vaccine we will use is guaranteed safe and effective.)

RELATED STORIES:

DOH asks QC court to dismiss petition vs children vaccination 

Only 8 out of 159,612 minors aged 5-11 experienced COVID vaccine adverse effects—DOH 

JPV