QC makes pediatric vax drive ‘fun experience’ for kids

MANILA – Parents in Quezon City were all praises for the efforts of the national and local government to make the vaccination of their children aged 5 to 11 a fun experience.

At the SM Skydome along Edsa, the vaccination area has colorful designs and mascots to soothe the kids’ anxiety during the pilot rollout on Monday.

The QC Public Affairs and Information Services Department, in a message sent to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Tuesday, said 589 were vaccinated at the mall while 753 got their first shots at the National Children’s Hospital and Philippine Heart Center.

The city government also opened another pediatric vaccination site at Eton Centris, located on the corner of Edsa and Quezon Avenue, with 2,000 doses while the Skydome will have 1,000.

“Yehey! Mababakunahan na ang mga bata, me panlaban na sila sa virus, hindi na sila basta-basta kakapitan ng sakit (Finally the children may now be vaccinated, they now have protection against the virus, and they will not easily get infected),” Karen Samson posted on the QC Government Facebook page.

“Mag-eenjoy ang mga bata sa kanilang pagbabakuna, happy ang kanilang magiging experience sa kanilang vaccination (The children will have an enjoyable and happy vaccination experience),” Evangeline Abella posted.

Netizen Gian San Pedro said the setup is “encouraging for the children”.

As for those who can’t book slots for their children, the local government asked for their understanding.

“Pasensya na po, labis na mabilis maubos ang slots ng bakuna para sa minors dahil sa mataas na demand at mababang supply ng bakuna. Ang ating supply ng bakuna ay nakadepende sa natatanggap mula sa ( We are sorry as the slots for children quickly run out because of high demand and low supply. Our vaccine supply depends on what we receive from the) national government,” the city government posted.

Registration for Covid-19 vaccines may be made at village offices or through https:// qceservices.quezoncity.gov.ph/ qcvaxeasy. ■

Mayor Joy Belmonte with some children at the Elements at Centris for the vaccination