COTABATO CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Region XII and the Bangsamoro Ministry of Health (MOH) launched Monday the Resbakuna Kids’ campaign for children ages 5 to 11 years old at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC) here.

Some 200 children are expected to get their first dose of Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19 during the first day of the said campaign from February 7 to February 11, CRMC Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Nor-aine Kansi, said in an interview, Monday.

According to Dr. Kansi, their vaccination team will cater to all pre-registered kids including those with comorbidity.

For this week’s ‘Resbakuna Kids’ campaign, CRMC is the only authorized hub to conduct the inoculation of children ages 5 to 11 years old, according to DOH XII.

Meanwhile, City Health Officer Dr. Meyasser Patadon, in a press conference also Monday, said that all 10 vaccination hubs including microsites in Cotabato City will be accepting 5 to 11-year-old children starting February 14.

“We have been receiving number of queries and interests from parents and guardians. This signifies their willingness and confidence to have their children vaccinated against COVID-19,” Dr. Patadon expressed.

According to him, there are more than 36,000 children ages 12 to 17 years old who have already been vaccinated in the city with no reports of deaths and serious adverse effects.

He also explained that parental consent forms are required for all minors who will be vaccinated.

As of February 7, Cotabato City has 51% fully vaccinated individuals out of the 250,327 target population set by the DOH.  

“With the launching of ‘Resbakuna Kids’, we hope to encourage more vaccinees to achieve higher rate of fully vaccinated individuals in the city,” Dr. Patadon said. (ACBiwang/PIA Cotabato City)