Bakuna Saturdays for whole month of August set

The vaccination cluster is set to conduct a mass vaccination drive for 5-11 years old and above at the People’s Park as part of the intensified campaign for prevention against COVID-19.

Vaccination Cluster Representative–Dr. Zamzam Zailon, during the I-Speak Media Forum, said that they saw the need to conduct another mass vaccination on August 13, 20, and 27 – dubbed as Bakuna Saturdays – in the same venue after the success of the “Bakuna Para sa Katawhan Karong Kadayawan held last July 26-30.

“Based sa among datos kadtong nag-open tag vaccination sa People’s Park kadtong last day July 30, naa tay 1,125 na nabakunahan. Hopefully, we expect the same numbers again and everyone can have their protection against severe Covid-19 cases (Based on the data we gathered when we had vaccination at People’s Park on the last day- July 30, we were able to vaccinate 1,125. Hopefully, we will have the same numbers and everyone can have their protection against severe Covid-19 cases),” Zailon said.

He said that this activity will be conducted in partnership with the Department of Health, USAID, and other sectors that are willing to help the city government of Davao reach the national vaccination target of 100 percent coverage for senior citizens and 50 percent vaccination target.

Offered in this massive vaccination rollout are first and second doses for 5-11 years old; first, second, and, first booster dose for 12-17 years old, provided that those who will avail of the booster dose are not immunocompromised; first, second dose, first booster dose, and second booster dose for 18 years old and above.

Zailon said that they were given advice not to give boosters to the 12-17 years olds who are immunocompromised.

“According to guidance sa DOH kadtong immunocompromised or naay naay mga sakit sa mga bata kinhanglan nila magpabooster sa ospital ang atong advise sa ilaha maghulat na lang sila sa announcement gikan sa ospital ug mangutana sila sa mga doctor kanus-a ang vaccination activity sa mga ospital para makapa booster sila. (According to the guidance of DOH those who are immunocompromised or those who have another disease need to get their boosters from the hospitals. We are advising them to wait for the announcement of hospitals and that they should ask their doctor when will be the vaccination activity of the hospitals so they can get their booster shots),” he said.

Zailon said that the vaccination for 5-11 and vaccination with booster for 12-17 is very important because children will eventually be exposed to the community with the impending full opening of classes on August 22.

The 12-17 age group that got vaccinated in November last year will need booster doses, according to Zailon.

“The vaccination for the said groups started November last year, there is the concept of the waning of the immunity. In order to restore the immunity and increase their immunity we are encouraging them to get their booster also,” he said.

The massive vaccination drive will start from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the said dates. The requirements for each age group are posted on the City Government of Davao Page. CIO