The vaccination of children aged five to 11 years old could pave the way for greater economic activities and resumption of face-to-face (F-to-F) schooling, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua recently said the rollout of the pediatric vaccination program is essential to ensure children’s safety in returning to F-to-F schooling.
At the same time, Chua said, it would also enable families to have additional protection when they go outside their homes. He also said Covid-19 vaccinations should already be included in the list of vaccines needed for children.
“More than 30 percent of our population is below 18 [years old], so the sooner we vaccinate them, the more economic activities will follow,” Chua said.
“All babies are already being vaccinated for various diseases like measles and chickenpox. So this is just another one of the many [vaccines] that kids should start to get,” he added.
Chua, whose six-year-old son also got his first dose at the launch of San Juan City’s Resbakuna Kids Covid-19 vaccination, also encouraged parents to get their children registered in the vaccination program as soon as they can.
With the inoculation drive being expanded to cover a broader eligible population, the government assures the public that there is enough supply of vaccines to inoculate the pediatric population.
The Departments of Finance and Budget and Management have already secured funding for more booster shots, along with vaccine doses for children below 5 to 11 years old. There are around 15.6 million children in the 5 to 11 age group.