594,168 minors targeted for pediatric vaccine in Normin, Mendoza says

NORTHERN Mindanao Covid-19 vaccination operations aimed to vaccinate more than 500,000 minors aged 12 to 17 in Region-10 under the pediatric vaccination program against coronavirus disease (Covid-19), a health official said Monday.

This comes after big cities in the region began its vaccination of minors aged 12 to 17 on November 3.

Regional health department officer Dr. David Mendoza during the Northern Mindanao Task Force (NMTF) for COVID-19 press briefing, said that they have set the target of 594,168 population for pediatric vaccination in northern Mindanao.

The DOH-10 is urging parents to have their eligible children ages 12-17 to register for COVID-19 vaccination, said Mendoza.

He said the vaccination for this population has started in big cities like Cagayan de Oro, October 29, and big provinces like Bukidnon on November 3.

Mendoza said this includes the cities and municipalities of Malaybalay, Cabanglasan, Dangkagan, Damulog, Lantapan, Malitbog, Maramag, and Talakag.

Other provinces are also having ongoing pediatric vaccination which includes Guinsiliban and Mambajao in Camiguin; Calamba, Don Victoriano, Sapang Dalaga, Tudela and Ozamiz in Misamis Occidental; Kapatagan in Lanao del Norte and Balingasag, Claveria, Kinoguitan, Laguindingan, Salay, and its two cities Gingoog and El Salvador in Misamis Oriental.

Meanwhile, Iligan City starts pediatric vaccination on November 5, he said.

Mendoza clarified that there are only two kinds of population for this vaccination which is the A3 with co-morbidities and the rest of the pediatric population.

Further, pediatric vaccination of beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will be pushed in the days to come, said Mendoza.

“As to pilot schools who will have face to face classroom setup, the DOH will monitor these schools,” said Mendoza.

As of date, there are 11 public schools and two private schools who are eligible for face to face in northern Mindanao.

Mendoza still urges those who have not vaccinated to still get vaccinated. As of the latest, northern Mindanao is still at 29% of the 70% target herd immunity. (Ben Balce with reports from PIA-10)