Pediatric vaccinations will be held at the Marikina Sports Complex, according to Mayor Marcy Teodoro.
In an interview with DZMM Teleradyo on Thursday, Oct. 21, Teodoro said the city will convert the sports complex into a pediatric vaccination facility as it rolls out the inoculation of minors against COVID-19.
“Very limited yung number of hospitals natin dito sa Marikina (we have a limited number of hospitals here in Marikina),” said Teodoro.
“Noong nakaraang Martes, nagkaroon ng validation at inspection ang mga representative ng Department of Health (DOH) at nakita nila na maaaring gamitin yung malaki nating vaccination facility na nasa Marikina Sports Complex (Last Tuesday, representatives of the DOH inspected our facilities and saw the possibility of converting Marikina Sports Complex into a pediatric vaccination facility),” he added.
Only Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been granted Emergency Use Authorization for minors by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
According to Teodoro, the complex has a medical room that is compliant with the standards required to administer Pfizer vaccines.
Trained vaccinators, pediatric doctors, volunteer social workers, psychologists, and guidance counselors have also been recruited to work in the facility for the pediatric vaccination program.
As of Oct. 21, 382,000 have been vaccinated in Marikina which represents 78 percent of Marikina’s general population, according to Teodoro.
Teodoro also claimed that there are around 70,000 to 80,000 vaccinated individuals who are part of the “daytime population,” which includes workers who do not live in Marikina.
The initial rollout of the vaccination for minors with comorbidities began on Oct. 15 in nine hospitals in the National Capital Region.
By Seth Cabanban