CITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan – The City Health Office (CHO) of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, has started the “Resbakuna Kids” vaccination activity against Covid-19 for children aged five to eleven years old.
On Thursday, San Jose Del Monte City Health Officer Dra. Roselle Tolentino announced that the launching of the vaccination activity program held at SM City San Jose del Monte has started on February 21 and still on-going as the CHO targets to inoculate 60,000 children in this city.
Along with the local government unit, the CHO is likewise encouraging parents to register their children in their own respective barangay health stations since walk-in at vaccination sites are not yet allowed.
The executive assistant to the local government of San Jose del Monte, Noli Concepcion, who is also a parent, said that health is wealth.
“As a parent, the most important thing for us is to keep our children safe, so we should get them vaccinated,” he said, as he accompanied his nine-year old daughter to get inoculated.
To lessen the fear of the children, SM City San Jose del Monte turned its vaccination area into a child-friendly, party-like place, decorated with colorful tarpaulins, balloons, and lanterns.
On its first day, children were entertained by mascots from the live-action robot-filled movie “Transformers” before they underwent medical checkups, consultations and eventually got vaccinated.
“Today is a special milestone, especially for the kids of San Jose del Monte. They have added another layer of protection against the virus, and because of that, malling will be happier and a lot safer for them,” said SM Regional Manager Lea Sta. Ana.
Vaccination for aged 5 to 11 in SM City San Jose del Monte is located on the second floor, while the regular vaccination for the adult population and 12 to 17 years old will be relocated at Basement 1 starting March 1.
Pfizer vaccine is being used for the jabs as this is the only vaccine brand that has received emergency use authorization for kids aged 5 to 11 years from the Philippines’ Food and Drug Administration. The Pfizer vaccine for them has a lower dosage and lower concentration than those given to youths aged 12 to 17.