CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--Children aged five to 11 years old in the city may already get their COVID-19 vaccine as the Department of Health Center for Health Development-Northern Mindanao (DOHCHD-NM) and the Local Government of Cagayan de Oro launched the ‘Resbakuna Kids’ campaign at SM CDO Downtown Premier, February 14. 

DOH-10 Regional Director Dr. Jose R. Llacuna Jr. led the launch together with City Health Officer (CHO) Dr. Rachel Dilla, City Health Insurance Officer Dr. William Bernardo, City Councilor and Committee on Health and Health Insurance Chair Dr. Maria Lourdes Gaane. Also present during the event were SM Supermalls Regional Operations Manager Joey Tumolva and SM CDO Downtown Premier Mall Manager Evangeline Ditona. 

“Much of the efforts in achieving success rests in the hands of the populace, so mga kaigsuonan kung kita bakunado, ilabi na kung ang BIDA Solusyon atong hugot nga gihimo sigurado kitang protektado,” Llacuna Jr. said.

(my fellowmen, if we are vaccinated and especially when we follow the BIDA Solusyon, we have just secured our protection from the virus)

For her part, Gaane said getting children vaccinated against COVID-19 remains to be the best protection they have against hospitalization due to severe and critical symptoms. 

As a partner of the government, Tumolva said they are honored and delighted to be a partner once again of the Local Government Unit of Cagayan de Oro City on another milestone in the fight against the COVID-19 virus.  

"One of the thrusts of SM Supermalls is to to really be a part or contribute in nation-building. We thank you, our dear government officials, for giving us this another opportunity to serve the public," he added. 

One of the parents who lined up during the launch was ‘Mumzy Vany,’ a CDO-based vlogger and mother of two whose biggest motivation for vaccination was her children’s safety.  She mentioned that prior to their arrival at the vaccination site, she researched and sought professional medical advice with their pediatrician. 

“[Pediatric vaccination] is a family matter so you have to talk [about] it openly with your family and doctors, para mas ma-assure mo nga (so you can be assured that) this vaccine is really safe and is an additional protection sa atong (for our) kids,” she said. 

The COVID-19 vaccination rollout for children within the 5-11 age group was also simultaneously launched by DOH-10 and CDO LGU at the J.R. Borja General Hospital. (GDA/PIA-10)