A health expert has underscored the need to vaccinate children against coronavirus disease (COVID-19), as the country braces for the pilot implementation of the limited in-person classes in low-risk areas.
Dr. Lulu Bravo, chief of the National Adverse Events Following Immunization Committee (NAEFIC), said that it would be better to conduct face-to-face classes if children are inoculated.
“Maganda na mag face-to-face kung ang mga bata ay nabakunahan na din (It is good to go face-to-face if the children have been vaccinated as well),” Bravo said in a Palace briefing Thursday, Oct. 7.
“Of course, they will use their minimum public standards, such as mask and face shield,” she added.
The Philippines targets to start the vaccination of children aged 12 to 17 next week in select hospitals in Metro Manila, starting with those with comorbidities.
Likewise, Bravo said that it would also be better if people around children participating in the limited in-person classes are also vaccinated against COVID-19.
“Maganda din sana yung mga kasama nila sa bahay nitong mga batang papasok ay bakunado rin (It would also be nice if those with them in the house are also vaccinated),” she said.
“Hindi sana maganda na papapasokin andg mga bata na yung mga kasama nila sa bahay ay hindi pa rin bakunado (It would not be good to let children go to school if those with them in the house are still not vaccinated),” she added.
The Department of Education (DepEd) has announced that the pilot implementation of limited face-to-face classes in basic education to be conducted by schools located in low risk areas will start Nov. 15.
“Kung tayo ay magbibigay na sa pediatric, sana naman alalahanin natin na yung mga nakapaligid sa ating kabataan ay nabakunahan din (If we vaccinate the pediatric sector, I hope we remember that those around children must also be vaccinated),” she added.
“Nang sa ganun, mas makompedinsya na yung ating mga anak ay hindi mabibgyan ng COVID at hindi rin makakapagdala sa bahay ng COVID (That way, we can be more confident that our children will not get COVID and will not be able to bring COVID home),” she added.