On first day of aged 5-11 vaccination: Close to 500 children get COVID-19 jab in Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines —  At least 497 children have been vaccinated on the first day of the vaccination against COVID-19 for 5 to 11 age group in Cebu City.

Dr. Jeffrey Ibones, head of the Cebu City Health Department, described the turnout as a success.

“Successful ang atoang gipahigayon nga launching sa atoang 5 to 11 years old,” said Ibones.

There were two vaccination sites prepared by the city government for the said age group---Ayala Center and Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).

Ibones said they are expecting the number of children coming to the vaccination sites to increase in the coming days.

The CHD has encouraged parents and guardians to register online through pabakuna.com and wait for the text message before coming to the vaccination sites.

Ibones explained that vaccinees have to follow their schedule, especially the vaccination site where they are assigned to, to avoid overcrowding and shortage of vaccine in the center.

“Kung sa text sa Abellana (CCSC) gani mo, adto mo sa Abellana kay ang atong vaccine ato man ning gibahin,” he said.

Ibones added that the supply of vaccines to be utilized in a day for the minors aged 5 to 11 is being divided for the two sites.

“Ang mahitabo man gud, kung matextsan ka’g Abellana (CCSC) unya moari ka (Ayala), ang atoang bakuna nga gi-allocate sad for this (site), maproblema sad ta,” he said.

 The Department of Health (DOH) has allocated the city at least 6,000 Pfizer vaccines for the consumption of the 5 to 11 age group.

As of yesterday, around 8,000 children who belong to the said age group have registered in Cebu City. Ibones said the city is not yet accepting walk-ins for the said group to avoid overcrowding. — FPL (FREEMAN)