THE latest data from the Department of Health in Davao Region (DOH-Davao) showed that a total of 36.2 percent of five to 11 years old children are vaccinated against Covid-19 as of November 25, 2022.
This is equivalent to 200,484 fully vaccinated with the two primary doses out of the 553,200 target population, while 51,250 are partially vaccinated with one dose. As of today, the five to 11 age group is not yet eligible for a booster dose.
However, given that the vaccination coverage for the said age group has not yet reached at least 50 percent of the target population, stakeholders are doubling their efforts and programs about Covid-19 vaccination for school-age children.
Stephen Mark Castres, Regional Covid-19 Focal Person of the Department of Education in Davao (DepEd-Davao), said they continue to promote the benefits of Covid-19 to parents and teachers. He said they are conducting Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) meetings for parents and orientation for the students.
“Magkakaroon tayo ng TikTok campaigns na maipapahayag doon kung ano ang importansya ng bakuna, mechanism to get vaccinated, and benefits (We are planning to have TikTok campaigns for the importance and benefits of the vaccine and mechanism to get vaccinated),” Castres said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw media forum on Monday, November 28.
Castres added that 23.67 percent of learners are fully vaccinated while 1.57 percent have received their first booster dose among those who are eligible, according to DepEd-Davao’s data.
On the other hand, the population group 12 to 17 years old has achieved 105.9 percent vaccination coverage which is equivalent to 462,804 fully vaccinated out of the 436,967 target population. In this population group, only 5.4 percent or 23,702 have received their first booster dose.
DOH-Davao assistant regional director Dr. Gerna Manatad said one of their focus is to elevate the coverage of the primary doses among five to 11 years old and booster doses for 12 to 17-year-olds.
“(The 12 to 17 years old), we really need to provide booster dose kasi complete na sila sa primary series (because they have completed their primary series). Also, we need to cover more children para ma-receive nila ang kanilang primary series (so they could have their primary doses) because we still have around 300,000 unvaccinated five to 11 years old children and we have vaccines for them,” Manatad said.
In line with this, DOH will conduct a Bakunahan Bayan on December 5 to 7, 2022 that will focus on the five to 11 years old age group and first booster dose.
“Ngayon may panibago tayong target. Dapat mayroon tayo, makukuha natin ang 5-11 years old na mga bata na makatanggap na ng unang dalawang primary doses natin (We have a new target now. First, we should have more five to 11 years old children administered with the two primary doses). Pangalawa, ang mga edad 12-17 years old, kailangan magkaroon na ng unang booster (Second, those who are 12 to 17 years old should also have their booster dose),” DOH Undersecretary Abdullah Dumama said.
Regionwide, 87.9 percent or 3,337,270 are fully vaccinated out of the 3,796,830 target population. Of this, 17.6 percent or 667,934 received their first booster dose, while 3.3 percent or 126,871 have completed the booster series. ICM