Metro LGUs to jab ages 5 to 11

MANILA, Philippines — The local governments of Manila, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela are ready for today’s start of the pediatric vaccination of children aged five to 11.

In a Facebook post yesterday, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno cited a joint statement by the Philippine Pediatric Society and Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines that children need to get vaccinated because they are at risk of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and post-COVID symptoms.

“Though most of the children infected with SARS-CoV-2 manifest mild symptoms or are asymptomatic, MIS-C and post-COVID conditions can and typically occur after a mild infection,” the groups said in a statement as they assured parents that vaccines are safe for children.

“There is a lot of fake news and opinion from the people, but there are other credible organizations to guide us,” Moreno said.

At least 30,000 Pfizer doses are stored at the Sta. Ana Hospital for the pediatric vaccination, which will be held at the Manila Zoo and Bagong Ospital ng Maynila.

Over 18,400 children aged five to 11 have registered for the vaccination in Manila.

In Valenzuela, stand-in posters of animals and children were printed for the inoculation of the pediatric age group, Mayor Rex Gatchalian said.

Caloocan Mayor Oscar Malapitan called on parents to bring their children to vaccination sites, saying COVID-19 jabs are proven safe and effective.

Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco said children should be vaccinated so they could go out and play safely while Metro Manila is under Alert Level 2.

The Malabon city government called on parents to register their children online to get their COVID jabs.