Bulacan Gov. Daniel R. Fernando assured that the specially formulated COVID-19 vaccine for children, five to 11 years old, is safe as the provincial government rolled out its Resbakuna Kids pediatric vaccination program at the Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center in the City of Malolos on Wednesday, Feb. 9.

Pfizer vaccine doses were administered to a total of 200 children. Pfizer is the only vaccine that received emergency use approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the five to 11 age bracket.

According to National Task Force Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., the Pfizer vaccines were reformulated to minimize adverse effects on children.

“Para mawala ‘yung takot ng mga magulang, mayroon na tayong nabakunahan na more or less 20,000. Nakikita natin na very safe itong Pfizer dahil unang una, nagdaan ito ng matagal na ekperimentasyon at mga trials; at itong reformulated vaccines na ito may 10 micrograms lamang upang mabawasan ‘yung adverse effects nito,” (To allay the fears of parents, we have already inoculated more or less 20,000 children and we have observed that Pfizer is very safe. It was approved after a series of trials and this reformulated vaccine only has 10 micrograms to minimize the advese effects)," Galvez said.

Fernando said he understands the concern of parents for the safety of their children and assured them that pediatric vaccination is needed as the country prepares for the resumption of face-to-face classes.

He said the vaccine is safe for young people with comorbidities since it onlyhas mild side effects. Children with medical conditions such as medical complexity, genetic, neurologic conditions, metabolic/endocrine disease, cardiovascular disease, obesity, tuberculosis, renal disorder, lung disease, and those who are immunocompromised are required to consult their doctors and present the necessary medical certificates.