BUTUAN CITY - In the recently conducted Women's Summit 2022 at the Balanghai Hotel, this city, the Department of Health (DOH), the country's lead agency battling the pandemic, intensifies information drive on COVID-19 vaccination and took the opportunity to orient the participants of the summit on COVID pediatric vaccination.

Ms. Phoebie Rhanie Demata-Boque, Health Education & Promotion Officer (HEPO) II of the DOH Caraga presents and explains how pediatric vaccination protects children against the COVID-19 and in effect increase the vaccination rate in the region and contribute to achieve herd immunity against the virus.

Ms. Demata-Boque highlighted that “COVID-19 vaccination for children 5-17 years old will prevent the children from severe COVID-19 effects and it protects younger ones ages 4 years old and below and lastly it will help the children in returning their childhood life to normal”. 

In line with the DOHs ongoing efforts to expand the coverage of COVID-19 vaccination following the DOH COVID-19 Vaccination Prioritization Framework,  the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) recommends the financing of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for the pediatric population ages 5 to 11 years old.

In a statement released by HTAC in February 2022, the council explains that "vaccination of the said age group could also improve the quality of life within the households when caregivers of children are relieved of the anxiety of dealing with the consequences of COVID-19 infection. It also has the potential to enable reopening of schools, thereby allowing more mobility, minimizing disruption of education of school-age children, and improving the psychosocial well-being of the said age group".

Vaccination, in general, is an integral part of nutrition management as this forms part of the health and well-being of an individual. In a research published by Demographic Research in 2020 outlines the relationship between vaccination and nutritional status in children. The results of the study provided that "a significantly higher prevalence of underweight was found among children with incomplete vaccination schedules" and "similarly, wasting and stunting were frequently observed in under-vaccinated children" in developing countries.

The National Nutrition Council, as part of its mandate to inform and educate the public on proper nutrition, supports and promote the vaccination of the children, as this will ensure that the optimum health and nutritional well-being will be achieved and contribute to the reduction of malnutrition. #MJBanton/RPOchavo

References:

• Department of Health. Pediatric Vaccination for the Prevention of Covid-19 For 5 to 11 Age Group. Accessed 09 March 2022, <https://hta.doh.gov.ph/2022/02/11/pediatric-vaccination-for-the-prevention-of-covid-19-for-5-to-11-age-group/>

• Demographic Research. Relationship between vaccination and nutritional status in children: Analysis of recent Demographic and Health Surveys. Accessed 09 March 2022, https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol42/1/default.htm