Some 70 children aged 12 to 17 with comorbidities have received coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines at the Conrado F. Estrella Regional Medical and Trauma Center (CFERMTC).

CFERMTC officer-in-charge chief nurse Mark Dave Rodrigo, in an interview on Saturday, said they will resume the vaccination of the pediatric population on November 4 as soon as the supply they requested from the regional office arrives.

Rodrigo said just like the vaccination of adults, the pediatric inoculation rollout is also open to residents of the sixth district of Pangasinan and other areas in the province of Pangasinan, and neighboring towns of Tarlac and Nueva Ecija.

He added they target to inoculate 800 to 1,000 a day if the vaccine supply allows.

Department of Health Center for Health Development Ilocos Region (DOH-CHD 1) development management officer Arlene Calugay, in a separate interview, said the vaccination rollout in the different government hospitals in rural areas will be a “huge help” to further the immunization effort of the government for the target population protection.

She added the Ilocos Region is expected to receive 2 to 4 million doses of vaccine this fourth quarter.

“Having my children vaccinated gives me peace of mind. I am also encouraging our relatives to have their children (12 to 17 years old) inoculated,” said Roxanne Mejares whose child, Russel, was vaccinated.

Russel, who was the first to get the vaccine at the CFERMTC under the pediatric population group, has iron deficiency anemia.

The other hospitals that started the vaccination for the minors with comorbidities are Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center in La Union, Region 1 Medical Center in Dagupan City, Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center in Ilocos Norte, Vigan City Health Office-Gabriela Silang Provincial Hospital in Ilocos Sur, San Nicolas Rural Health Unit Eastern Pangasinan District Hospital in San Nicolas town, Pangasinan, and Western Pangasinan District Hospital in Alaminos City Pangasinan.

Only Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were given the emergency use authorization to be administered to the 12 to 17 years old population as the vaccines will give protection to the children against severe symptoms and death. (PNA)