CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The city government is discontinuing the first dose vaccination against Covid-19 for children aged five- to 11-years-old.
Dr. Ina Grace Chiu of the City Health Office (CHO) and the National Immunization Program coordinator said Monday, Sept. 5, that the decision was made after they received an advisory from the Department of Health (DOH) to use the remaining vaccines for children aged five- to 11-years-old who are waiting for their second dose.
“If you could remember last week I had mentioned that we only have until Sept. 2 for those children aged five- to 11-years-old who haven’t been vaccinated yet,” Chiu said.
Chiu said there was a low vaccination turnout for the pediatric group on Sept. 2.
“So starting this week, there will be no first dose for the five- to 11-years-old as these vaccines will be given for the second dose,” she added.
Chiu did not say how many vaccines were left for the pediatric group but she said the remaining vaccines are enough for children who are awaiting their second dose vaccination.
The CHO also did not say if the Marcos administration would still be purchasing vaccines for the pediatric group.
“You have nothing to worry, we will always update you if ever there is additional purchasing of the Pfizer pedia vaccines as we only follow the advisory from the Department of Health,” Chiu said.
For parents who would want to submit their children aged five- to 11-years for first dose vaccination, the CHO will get their names and contact information as the Covid-19 vaccination team may accommodate them if children who are set to receive their second dose are unable to attend their schedules.
As of Saturday, Sept. 3, 30,195 children aged five- to 11-years-old here have been fully vaccinated against the virus.
There are 10,846 children in this city who have received their first dose and waiting for their second dose.