spot_img
27.6 C
Philippines
Friday, March 29, 2024

Virus infections rise among kids below 5—DOH

- Advertisement -

The number of COVID-19 cases among children below 5 years old rose last month compared to the wave of Delta infections last year, the Department of Health said as the agency prepared for the government’s expansion of pediatric vaccination.

Virus infections among the age group were tallied at 632 on January 24 to 30 compared to only 554 during the peak of Delta cases in September, DOH data showed.

“There’s a decline in COVID-19 cases among 60 years old and above…On the other hand, an increase has been observed among COVID cases in the pediatric age group compared last September when we had the Delta experience,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told reporters Wednesday.

But this should not stop parents from allowing their children to go outside their homes in areas under Alert Level 2, Vergeire said.

“Cases increased but nearly all were mild. We don’t need to scare our children or their parents,” she said.

- Advertisement -

“We need to give them more protection…so they can continue to enjoy going outside, interacting with other children in their area or going to their school,” she said.

The government on Friday will begin the COVID-19 vaccination of children ages 5 to 11.

A COVID vaccine for children below 5 has yet to be approved in the Philippines.

Adults are urged to get the jab to protect children who are not yet eligible, health authorities earlier said.

The Philippines has so far fully vaccinated 6.28 million children aged 12 to 17 as of Jan. 23, according to DOH data presented by Dr. Mary Ann Bunyi, president of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, a shipment of Pfizer vaccine to be used for 5 to 11 years old is expected to arrive in the country Thursday, the Department of Health said.

Around 780,000 doses of the Pfizer anti-COVID vaccine minors aged 5 to 11 are scheduled to arrive.

The government initially ordered 15 million Pfizer vaccine doses for the expansion of the pediatric population beginning Friday.

Pfizer and relevant agencies have trained vaccinators, and logistics in initial sites of the vaccine rollout have been prepared, according to Vergeire during a virtual public briefing.

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles