CEBU CITY--Vaccinators donned superhero costumes. Others dressed in popular cartoon characters roam around the vaccination center that’s brightened up by colorful balloons. Loot bags with cool items and vitamins were also given away to the vaccinees.
FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD ‘VAXMAN’ – Nurse Luigi Chan is dressed in a Spiderman costume as he administers the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine on a boy at the ceremonial launch of Resbakuna Kids at the Ayala Center in Cebu City on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. (Juan Carlo de Vela)
With this party-theme, children aged five to 11 years old were welcomed at the Cebu City Sports Center on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022, for the start of the city’s pediatric vaccination drive.
"It started with a bang," said Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, chief pathologist of the Department of Health Central Visayas.
"The venue is beautifully decorated," Loreche said of the Cebu City Sports Center, which is one of the two sites for the city's vaccination drive for children. The other venue was the Ayala Center-Cebu.
The city is looking to vaccinate at least 250 children a day.
The vaccination, held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., will continue "until vaccine supplies last," according to Dr. Jeffrey Ibones, chief of the City Health Department.
Ibones said only those who pre-registered will be vaccinated as walk-ins will be disallowed.
At least 8,000 children have registered for the vaccination campaign.
One of the parents who brought their children to the vaccination site was Dana Rizarri, who brought her three children, aged nine, seven, and five to be vaccinated to ensure their safety.
“First and foremost, I want my children to be safe especially now that cases are rising," said Rizzari.
As a working mother, Rizzari said she could unknowingly expose her children to the virus because she has to regularly go out of the house for work.
"I'm in and out of the house so I want my children to be safe and other household mmebers. Like what they say, prevention is better than cure," said Rizarri.