The number of children aged five to 11 years old who have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine has increased to more than 4,800 in Muntinlupa.
Data from the Muntinlupa City Health Office (CHO) showed that as of Feb. 17, a total of 4,827 kids aged five to 11 have been vaccinated in the city in 11 days since the program was rolled out on Feb. 7, or an average of 439 vaccinees per day.
The total is an increase of 1,116 vaccinated kids from 3,711 recorded as of Feb. 15. The latest tally is equivalent to seven percent of the target population of 68,198 for the age group in Muntinlupa.
The number of kids aged five to 11 who have registered for vaccination totaled 14,802 as of Feb. 17, or 22 percent of the target, and an increase from 14,107 last Feb. 15.
Muntinlupa’s active COVID-19 cases decreased to 73 as of Feb. 17 as the city government recorded 11 new cases, 19 new recoveries and one death.
During the “Laging Handa” public briefing on Feb. 17, Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said as of Feb. 16, a total of 263,932 kids aged five to 11 who have been vaccinated with the first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
“There were no serious adverse side effects but we had eight cases of non-serious adverse events among those vaccinated. Most of them were rashes, four; itchy throat; pain in the vaccination site; fever; and vomiting,” she said.
Cabotaje said while the turnout for pediatric vaccination is good, local government units are reminded that the supply of the vaccine for five to 11 years old is limited.
About the side effects, Cabotaje said there is a post vaccination monitoring area at vaccination sites where all those who got vaccinated are observed in case they experience (adverse event following immunization (AEFI). There is a medical team and health facility available in case a referral is needed, she said.
Kids aged five to 11 will be given two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, 21 days apart. The country’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the emergency use authorization (EUA) of the Pfizer vaccine for the age group.