MANILA, Philippines – Over the past weeks, several reports of children getting hospitalized due to the coronavirus have emerged and brought fear and uncertainty among families. With the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases among children in the Philippines, parents are getting worried over the safety of their kids especially with the presence of the highly transmissible Delta variant in the country.
While there are still no COVID-19 vaccines available for kids, there are several ways in which parents can protect them. Here are some of them:
1. Get vaccinated against COVID-19
The Department of Health (DOH) emphasized that getting the vaccination against COVID-19 protects you from developing symptomatic infection and prevents moderate to severe cases. DOH also stressed that getting the jab will protect your unvaccinated kids from getting the virus.
“If all the adults make sure that they are vaccinated, then in some ways, we are protecting the kids because they are going to be the beneficiaries of herd immunity,” said Dr. Beverly Ho, DOH Director for Health Promotion and Communication Service and Disease Prevention and Control Bureau.
2. Update your children’s routine vaccination
Routine vaccinations will protect children from severe diseases such as measles and polio. Aside from COVID-19, vaccine-preventable diseases still remain a threat to children.
There are also studies that annual flu shot for kids reduces risk for symptoms and severe illness if they get COVID-19.
“Vaccines protect children against harmful disease and death, saving up to three million lives every year, or more than five lives saved every minute of every day. Vaccines are scientifically proven to be safe and effective to prevent diseases,” Dr. Wigdan Madani of UNICEF Philippines said.
3. Stay at home if possible
While this is not an option for everyone especially for adults who need to go out to work, experts have suggested several measures. Disinfection, wearing of mask and maintaining physical distancing even inside the house can minimize the risk of your kids getting infected with the virus.
4. APAT DAPAT
Experts have also recommended the following interventions:
A – Air circulation and ventilation
P – Physical distancing one meter or more
A – Always use face mask and face shield
T – Time of interaction should less than 15 to 30 minutes
— Mini, The Summit Express
While there are still no COVID-19 vaccines available for kids, there are several ways in which parents can protect them. Here are some of them:
1. Get vaccinated against COVID-19
The Department of Health (DOH) emphasized that getting the vaccination against COVID-19 protects you from developing symptomatic infection and prevents moderate to severe cases. DOH also stressed that getting the jab will protect your unvaccinated kids from getting the virus.
“If all the adults make sure that they are vaccinated, then in some ways, we are protecting the kids because they are going to be the beneficiaries of herd immunity,” said Dr. Beverly Ho, DOH Director for Health Promotion and Communication Service and Disease Prevention and Control Bureau.
2. Update your children’s routine vaccination
Routine vaccinations will protect children from severe diseases such as measles and polio. Aside from COVID-19, vaccine-preventable diseases still remain a threat to children.
There are also studies that annual flu shot for kids reduces risk for symptoms and severe illness if they get COVID-19.
“Vaccines protect children against harmful disease and death, saving up to three million lives every year, or more than five lives saved every minute of every day. Vaccines are scientifically proven to be safe and effective to prevent diseases,” Dr. Wigdan Madani of UNICEF Philippines said.
3. Stay at home if possible
While this is not an option for everyone especially for adults who need to go out to work, experts have suggested several measures. Disinfection, wearing of mask and maintaining physical distancing even inside the house can minimize the risk of your kids getting infected with the virus.
4. APAT DAPAT
Experts have also recommended the following interventions:
A – Air circulation and ventilation
P – Physical distancing one meter or more
A – Always use face mask and face shield
T – Time of interaction should less than 15 to 30 minutes
— Mini, The Summit Express
