Tagbilaran starts pediatric vaccination drive

TAGBILARAN CITY – The city government here started the pediatric vaccination against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) for children aged five to 11 years at Tagbilaran City College on Tuesday (February 15).

The pediatric vaccination of minors aged 5 to 11 is the first in the province of Bohol.

Couple Jimsei and Zenaida Bantol brought their two kids- sons- Ken Ignatius, 8, and Kian, 7- to be immunized in preparation for the upcoming in-person classes.

“So that they are free to go outside. Looy kaayo naa ra sila sa balay,” Zenaida said.

Ken Ignatius said the jab was quick and did not seem to feel the pain of getting injected with the Pfizer vaccine.

"It was only a pinch," he said.

After their immunization, the two kids proceeded to the post-vaccination area where they stayed for another 15 minutes for observation. While waiting, they were also entertained by stories and games.

They were also given candies and chocolates.

The city government decorated the vaccination site with balloons and other standees of cartoon characters and other kid-friendly designs.

Dr. Jeia Pondoc, the city health officer, said the cartoon characters could make the children comfortable.

"These cartoon characters can ease the fear of children. When they come here they can say that it's a place where they feel happy, home and secure. That's why our  vaccination sites for 5 to 11 years look like this. We want them to feel at home," said Pondoc.

Pondoc said the city government is using a reformulated COVID-19 vaccine of Pfizer.

She assured the parents not to fear because the vaccine for children is safe as it is the only COVID-19 vaccine in the country that has received an emergency use authorization for children.

Outgoing Tagbilaran City Mayor Baba Yap and his wife Jane also visited the site.  To lead by example, their daughter Janah Geesnell was vaccinated along with 30 children during the ceremonial launching on Monday at City Hall.

Yap is encouraging the parents to have their children inoculated. He said submitting their eligible children to the vaccination will give them protection. -- BAP, GMA News