Some 840 children were inoculated in the first school-based pediatric coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination for children aged five to 11 at St. Scholastica’s Academy Marikina (SSAM) in Barangay Marikina Heights, Marikina City from Monday, Feb. 14, to Tuesday, Feb. 15.
SSAM is the first private school to be approved by the Marikina City local government and the Department of Health (DOH) as a COVID-19 vaccination site among the several schools chosen and assessed in the city.
The “Kulasa Resbakuna” vaccination program was organized by members of the city government, the SSAM-Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), and SSAM faculty led by School Directress Sr. Josefina Nepomuceno, OSB, and Grade School Principal Sister Jessica Aranti, OSB.
The school was visited and inspected by Marikina City congressional aspirant Marjorie Ann “Maan” Teodoro on Feb. 14.
Around 400 children were inoculated on Feb. 14, while 440 more received the jab on Feb. 15.
The covered court and rooms were decorated with red and pink balloons and streamers shaped as flags and hearts to match the Valentine's theme.
The SSAM Kulasa mascot “Tenten” cheerfully welcomed the children. A show featuring magicians, puppets, and bubbles also helped entertain the kids.
The children were given lollipops and ice cream after their vaccination.
Students in Grades four to five were scheduled on Feb. 14 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., while sixth grade level students were jabbed only from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Kindergarten to third grade students were inoculated on Feb. 15 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The vaccination drive only catered to enrolled SSAM pre-school and elementary students. If they had siblings and relatives aged five to 11, they were also allowed to be vaccinated at the school regardless if they were or were not enrolled in SSAM.
Children of SSAM employees were also allowed to be vaccinated at the site.
Prior to the vaccination dates, the parents or legal guardians were sent a pre-registration link.
Walk-ins were allowed for children who were not pre-registered by their parents online.
The assessment and registration process was conducted at the Sister Imburg Covered Court (SICC) while the rooms behind the stage served as the vaccination areas.
Parents or legal guardians were required to present their own valid identification (ID) cards, their child’s birth certificate, and the printed and accomplished consent and assent forms.
Legal guardians brought additional supporting documents while children with comorbidities were required to present a medical certificate.
All attendees were required to wear face masks, observe proper social distancing, and submit to temperature checks and QR code scanning through the StaySafe PH application.
SSAM-PTA President Angel Licas-Gonzaga said the PTA requested for a COVID-19 vaccination program.
“We wanted all the students to have a certain level of familiarity when they get their vaccine,” Licas-Gonzaga said.
Through the school-based vaccination drive, the students were able to revisit their schools, with the school principal allowing them to roam around the premises, and visit the library and the playground.
“We wanted today to be a happy homecoming for our girls who haven't seen their second home for two years now,” Licas-Gonzaga added.
On Friday, Feb. 4, Marikina City Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro said the city government will push for a school-based vaccination scheme and will coordinate with school administrators and staff in facilitating, monitoring, and providing care services to students before and after vaccination.
The pilot run of the pediatric vaccination for children aged five to 11 began in the city on Wednesday, Feb. 9, at the Marikina City Sports Center where more than 500 children were inoculated.