PAMPANGA Governor Dennis Pineda has appealed to parents "to not be hesitant" in getting their children vaccinated, and trust the program of the national government so that their loved ones could be afforded protection against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
This, as Kapampangan children aged 5 to 11 started receiving the first dose of reformulated Pfizer vaccine starting with the recent rollout of the Resbakuna Kids Covid-19 pediatric vaccination drive at Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in the City of San Fernando, with the jab site set in a fun-filled, cheerful mood complete with balloons, magicians, and mascots of famous superheroes such as Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Captain America.
“To the parents and guardians, do not be afraid. It is unfair for our children if we are vaccinated, and they are not. I know, it will hurt our feelings more if it is them who contracts COVID-19, so let us give them the protection that they need. Let us help the national government in securing the health of our children,” Pineda said.
The governor said the pediatric vaccination drive is expected to be slower than that of the adult population, given that it is quite challenging to jab the kids, but assured to make the roll out as quick as possible to reach the about 317,095 children of the said age group in the province.
Pineda said the provincial government will conduct a massive vaccination roll out for younger children on Saturday and Sunday, February 19 and 20, in select malls in the province.
“We scheduled it on a weekend so that the parents who are working on weekdays will be given the chance to give time to their children and accompany them in the vaccination sites. We target to jab 500 on Saturday in Robinsons Starmills, and another 500 each in Robinsons and SM City Pampanga on Sunday, on a first-come-first-served basis,” he said.
Parents who opt to have their children vaccinated should bring a photocopy of the birth certificate of the children and photocopy of their identification cards and that of the parent or guardian accompanying them.