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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Kids aged 5 to 11 just as vulnerable as the elderly against COVID-19 – expert

Kids aged 5 to 11 just as vulnerable as the elderly against COVID-19 – expert

Published Feb 7, 2022 03:59 pm

A health expert reiterated that kids, especially those who are under the five to 11 age group, are vulnerable to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) too.

Pediatric COVID-19 vaccination of children aged five to 11 in SM Aura. (Ali Vicoy/ Manila Bulletin File Photo)

Infectious disease expert and Vaccine Expert Panel (VEP) member Dr. Rontgene Solante, in a televised briefing on Monday, Feb. 7, said that children are equally vulnerable with the elderly against COVID-19.

“This is an important step of the government because children, especially five to 11 years old, are also as vulnerable as the elderly,” said Solante during the “Laging Handa” public briefing.

Solante said that the national government’s decision to extend the vaccinations and protect the children aged five to 11 is an important step to protect the country and eventually stop the viral spread of the disease.

“Children have the same vulnerability as in terms of getting COVID-19 and getting the severe COVID-19 infection. That’s why extending the vaccination and protecting this population is an important step of our government to protect the community,” he said.

Meanwhile, amid the skepticism of some people, Solante reiterated that educating the public regarding the benefits of getting vaccinated may lessen the vaccine hesitancy rate in the Philippines.

“Baka hindi lang nila alam kung gaano ka-importante ang bakuna sa mga bata. Nakikita na natin na ang mga bata ay isa sa mga target ng COVID. We need to educate and inform them the importance of vaccination at this point in time (Maybe they do not know how important vaccines are for children. We are now seeing that children are one of the targets of COVID. We need to educate and inform them the importance of vaccination at this point in time),” he said.

Related Tags

covid-19 vaccination resbakuna for kids Rontgene Solante Vaccine expert panel covid-19 vaccine
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