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Iloilo City starts COVID vax for kids

ILOILO CITY (PIA) - - This year’s Valentine’s Day celebration in Iloilo City became more memorable and significant as it coincided with the start of the city government’s efforts to provide protection to children against coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID 19).

Mayor Jerry Treñas led the launching activity of the pediatric vaccination for 5 to 11 years old in this city on February 14 at St. Paul’s Hospital (SPH) - Iloilo.

During the event, he was joined by other city government officials, Office of Civil Defense 6 Director Jose Roberto Nuñez, Dr. Renilyn Reyes of the Department of Health 6, Iloilo City Police Office Director PCol. Leo Batiles, DILG - Iloilo City Director Oscar Lim, SPH-Iloilo Nursing Service Director Sr. Ma. Jessica Formacion, SPC, and parents and their children vaccinees.

In his message, Treñas expressed happiness that children belonging to this age group will now be provided COVID 19 vaccination to be protected and eventually, to able to get back to school, to be with their friends and play in school.

He said he was waiting for the arrival of the vaccines for this pediatric group, the biggest sector who remains not vaccinated against the disease in the metro.

On February 12, the city government received the first batch of 1,000 vials good for 10,000 doses of Pfizer vaccines from Manila in time for the Monday’s launch.

Treñas also thanked the DOH for the support to the vaccination efforts of the city government, as well as, to SPH-Iloilo 

as one of the strong partners of the DOH and the city government in their vaccination drives. 

In March 2021, as a level 3 hospital, SPH-Iloilo was one of the four referral hospitals in the city to receive the COVID 19 vaccines.

Sr. Formacion said SPH-Iloilo is very blessed to support the Resbakuna program of the DOH and continues to do so for the safety of everyone.

“It is high time to give the children the kind of protection that they need since many schools are about to re-open this year, hopefully. This is the best shield that we can give them to avoid severe and critical symptoms and hospitalization,” said Formacion.

Some 50 children pre-registered to avail of the vaccine shots at SPH-Iloilo during the day. 

Eleven year-old Marvin Kyle Sorongon and ten year-old Marc Julienne Navarro were among those who got their shots at SPH-Iloilo. According to them, they were not afraid and didn't feel any pain after the inoculation. 

“I don’t even know that I already got the vaccine. It doesn't hurt. They (fellow children) will have a lesser chance to get the virus if they are vaccinated,” said Sorongon.

Navarro reminded her friends to be vaccinated so that they could see each other again as she missed them already. 

Three mega vaccination sites in the metro will cater to pediatric vaccination. These are SM City and Megaworld in Mandurriao district and Robinsons Place in Jaro district.

Walk-ins will be allowed in these sites but those who pre-registered will be prioritized in the lines, according to the city’s Public Information Office.  (JBG/laf/PIA6-Iloilo) 

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Lilibeth French

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Region 6

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