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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Gatchalian: Gov't should accelerate vaccination of children during World Immunization Week

Gatchalian: Gov't should accelerate vaccination of children during World Immunization Week

Published Apr 29, 2022 10:23 am

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday called on the government to accelerate the inoculation of children aged 5 to 11 to ensure a high Covid-19 vaccination coverage among the younger population of Filipinos which is crucial to expanding face-to-face classes nationwide.

Gatchalian made the call as the government observes the World Immunization Week, saying authorities should ramp up efforts in promoting the government’s Covid-19 vaccination program in schools.

“Habang patuloy ang pagsisikap nating paramihin ang mga paaralang lumalahok sa limited face-to-face classes, dapat paigtingin din natin ang pagbabakuna kontra COVID-19 para sa mga kabataang may edad na 5 hanggang 11 (While we strive to increase the number of schools that will participate in face-to-face classes, we need to intensify the Covid-19 vaccinatioin for children aged 5 to 11),” Gatchalian said in a statement.

“Kung mababakunahan natin ang mas maraming kabataan laban sa COVID-19, mas matitiyak natin ang kanilang kaligtasan kung makalahok na sila sa face-to-face classes (If we are going to vaccinate most children against Covid-19, we can be sure of their safety should they return to face-to-face classes),” said Gatchalian.

Gatchalian, who is seeking re-election in the upcoming May 2022 elections, noted that only 18.59 percent of children aged 5 to 11 have received their first dose of the vaccine as of April 17. This is equivalent to more than 2.6 million vaccinated children in the age group.

To accelerate Covid-19 vaccination on the pediatric population, the senator said the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), and the Department of Education (DepEd) should bring the program to schools.

The Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture chief said the government should ensure that at least 70 percent of children aged 5 to 11 are already vaccinated in time for the opening of School Year 2022-2023.

The DepEd is planning to open classes on August 22. The DepEd also reported earlier this year that some 14 million learners in the said age group are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.

According to the DepEd, 86.51 percent of those in the 12 to 17 age group have already received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, which is equivalent to more than 9.9 million minors.

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vaccination of minors deped Sherwin Gatchalian world immunization week
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