Just one out of more than 9,000 children aged five to 11 vaccinated against COVID-19 had a minor reaction to the jab, the Department of Health said Tuesday to prove that vaccines are safe for kids.
The 11-year-old child had rashes on his arm which subsided after he was given medication, Health Usec. Maria Rosario Vergeire said.
It is a mild reaction compared to what has been reported in other countries that are inoculating he same age group, Dr. Anna Ong-Lim of the Department of Health Technical Advisory Group told reporters.
"He was given anti-allergies, minanege siya on site, inantay makalipas ang epekto ng gamot at nung nawala na at nag-subside rashes, siya ay pinauwi. Very minor reaction, only one out of all those vaccinated," said Vergeire.
The Philippines rolled out the vaccination program for kids aged five to 11 on Monday after it was postponed for three days due to a delay in vaccine delivery.
As of 8 p.m. Monday, 9,784 children received the FDA-approved reformulated Pfizer vaccines in 32 vaccination sites, Vergeire said. More sites will be opened in the following days to reach the target of 15.5 million children in the said pediatric population.
Globally, 8.7 million children in that age group have been vaccinated with only 2.4% experiencing mild reactions such as pain in the injection site and headache, which will be gone in a couple of days and can be treated at home, the DOH said.
Vaccines remain safe and effective against the coronavirus, it said, as doctors reminded parents and guardians to register their children to get the jab.
"'Di sa binabalewala natin 'yun, kaya nga nagmo-monitor tayo kasi gusto natin mabigyan ng lunas at maagapan, pero ang bottomline na naman d'yan is... mabigyan ng proteksyon ang tatanggap ng bakuna kasi alam natin na pagka nagkaroon ng sakit, mas matinding hamon ang kakaharapin n'ya," Ong-Lim said.
READ:
COVID Vaccination of Kids 5-11 Starts, Here's What You Need to Know
GUIDE: COVID Vaccines for Kids Aged 5 to 11
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