MHARS-MC kicks off vax program for kids 5-11 years old

Joining the national rollout of COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 5 to 11, the Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center (MHARS MC) launched a party-themed vaccination site for the pediatric group at the OPD 2 Building, MHARS MC, Ozamiz City.

Children were greeted with party decorations, superhero squad, and received candy packs and other souvenir items.

The initiative aims to provide a relaxing environment in the vaccination site to lessen the stress of kids during the vaccination.

MHARS Medical Center chief, Dr. Jesus Martin S. Sanciangco III said the event was another milestone in the vaccination campaign of the city government’s aim in getting back to normalcy.

“This is a milestone sa atong kontra COVID ka’y niabot na gyud sa Ozamiz ang bakuna para sa mga bata ug gi-launch na gyud sa Department of Health nga mabakunahan na ang mga kabataan. Ang ato nga mabalik ta sa normal, makagawas ug maka-eskwela na ang mga kabataan ka’y protektado na sila,” he added.

(This is a milestone against COVID because the vaccine for children has already arrived here in Ozamiz and the Department of Health has already launched vaccination for children. What’s important is that we can get back to normal, the children can go out and go to school because they are protected)

He encouraged all parents in the city and province to vaccinate their children in order to be protected against COVID-19.

Sanciangco also expressed appreciation to the national government and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for continuously providing the MHARS MC with vaccines.

In her message during the pediatric rollout, MHARS MC Pediatric Pulmonology Dr. Maria Ñina Banque said a special formulation of the vaccine will be used for this age group.

“Ang gigamit karon nga vaccine for 5-11 years old mao ang Pfizer. Lahi na siya nga formulation kaysa sa dagko those 12 years old and above (The currently used vaccine for 5-11 years old is Pfizer. It has a different formulation than those 12 years old and above).This is especially made for kids 5-11 years old and the dose is also lesser."

A total of 300 minors aged 5 to 11, are targeted to receive their first dose of Pfizer vaccine at MHARS MC, February 15-16, 2022.(Shaine Mae R. Nagtalon/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)