BAGUIO CITY – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Cordillera renewed its call to local government units (LGUs) to bring closer the pediatric vaccination to the public, pointing out that the public can only be safe from COVID-19 if all of us are safe from it.
“The vaccination of our pediatric population contributes to the achievement of our herd immunity as a nation, hence, we urge our local governments to bring the vaccine closer to our people. Let’s make it easier for them to get vaccinated. Let us just make sure that sufficient percentage of our population is vaccinated,” DILG Cordillera Regional Director Araceli San Jose said.
Adding, “As parents, we want our children to be safe and a safe community for all of us. We will not be at peace if we think about the possibility that our children will contract the disease and become infected that is why it is important to vaccinate and protect our children — the next generation of Filipinos.”
RD San Jose also strongly advised the parents and guardians to discuss vaccination with their health care provider and to seek information from reputable sources with the necessary experience and expertise.
“We are fortunate that the COVID-19 vaccines for our children aged 5 to 11 years are now available. The vaccines have the potential to reduce a significant number of infections in our pediatric population, including symptomatic and severe COVID-19,” she explained.
She also underscored that the public should recognize the social and positive impacts of vaccinating the pediatric population including the adolescent age group.
“Vaccinating this population may help to alleviate the restrictions and pave the way for face-to-face and peer learnings, as well as social interactions, in the coming months or years,” she said.
RD San Jose urged authorities to continue enforcing and the public to continue adhering to minimum public health standards .
“We urge our local chief executives to ensure the consistent implementation of MPHS and to strictly implement the Prevent, Detect, Isolate, Treat, Reintegrate + Vaccinate strategy, as well as closely monitor adherence to home quarantine and isolation protocols, including conducting daily checks of quarantined individuals in-person or via mobile/telephone,” she said.
She also reminded the public to still continue to adhere to minimum public health standards such as proper wearing of face masks, regular hand washing and keeping distance or avoiding crowded places. By PMTG