With the successful vaccinations of the priority A1 to A5 groups, the Philippines has officially started vaccinating minors aged 12 to 17 last November 3, 2021, with hopes to improve mobility, boost the adolescent immune system, and hasten school reopenings.
Given the limitations imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost of remaining safe took a toll on mobility and social interactions, especially among minors. Vaccinations for the younger population have been pushed forward despite not being at high risk of disease and death, aiming to provide families with the confidence to go out and improve adolescent productivity.
Dr. Anna Ong-Lim, the school physician and member of the DOH Technical Advisory Group, expressed that, “The goal is to improve their (adolescents’) productivity. They’re not allowed to go face-to-face at school; their socialization is affected, they are not able to access different activities within the community because their movements are restricted.”
Grade 9, Damascus A student, Cara Elise C. Gohoc, remarked, “(With the vaccines,) we can have confidence in going out without much to worry about.”
Opinions on the topic are divided. For Grade 7 student Jairus Jacob C. Lee of Nazareth A, “everyone should get the vaccine” for a lesser chance of contracting the virus. Meanwhile, Grade 11 Olive STEM student Enzo Josh Hayven Q. Chua stated, “I am still unsure with my stance, but I would have to say that I am leaning more towards getting vaccinated.”
The vaccines’ safety and effectiveness is a matter Ong-Lim continues to assure MGC New Life Christain Academy (MGCNLCA) families while encouraging students to get vaccinated for added protection. Ong-Lim also stressed during the interview that the frightening, fatal risks of not getting inoculated outweigh the temporary, manageable relative inconveniences one might feel, including pain, swelling, redness, fever, and body aches or pain.
“The experience of billions of billions of doses being deployed globally has shown us that these vaccines are extremely safe and very effective, so as we are making these vaccines available for a wider age range and now including the pediatric population, it will be very wise to add this extra layer of protection,” she added.
MGCNLCA students who were recently inoculated remarked on the orderliness, efficiency, and convenience of the vaccination process. Franzelle Joyce D. Yulangco of Grade 10, Patmos C noted, “the place was clean and it was very fast,” while Grade 11, Olive ABM student Trei S. Ngo affirmed, “the system was very orderly and everyone was very approachable.” The students additionally remarked on the minor side effects, generally including a sore arm and slight fever. “I didn't have any side effects for the first dose, but then for the 2nd dose, I caught a fever for one day,” Grade 8 student Lauren Mielle L. Wong of Berea B mentioned. With their successful vaccinations, Newlifers expressed their unified hopes of returning to face-to-face classes and confidently going out with friends. Grade 11 student Ngo voiced “I'm graduating in 2 more years, and I really hope I'll be able to see my batchmates in person once more before I leave MGC New Life.”
“I can never tell when we are going back to school face-to-face. One thing's for sure, we have to be ready when the call to go back is given. If the vaccine is a way of protection, let us do it now and not wait,” asserted Mrs. Helen K. Villanueva, principal of MGCNLCA. “Let’s go for it, parents! The vaccines can give them a shield of protection but I urge you to keep praying for our children for GOD is the greatest shield we can give them.”
In preparation for the reopening of schools, Villanueva assured that safety guidelines and protocol, academic plans, options to hold face-to-face, hybrid, blended, or distance learning, and school renovations are carefully being discussed and analyzed for a safe and learning-filled school setup.
Before November 3, the Philippines held a two-week-long pilot run for adolescent vaccinations having comorbidities, beginning last October 15.
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