As of Feb. 15, 2022, the total number of active Coronavirus disease (Covid) cases in Tagbilaran City went down to 33 and the Provincial Government of Bohol also announced that Bohol is now under Alert Level 2 until the end of the month.

Despite the decline of the number of Covid cases and loosening of the restrictions, the City Government of Tagbilaran is not taking any chances and has started the vaccination rollout for 5 to 11 years old children.

The vaccination for rollout for 5-to-11-year-old children had its ceremonial inoculation on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022, with Janah Yap, the daughter of Mayor John Geesnell Yap and First Lady Jane Yap, receiving the first jab.

According to City Health Information Officer Robin Reyes Culpa, the City Health Office (CHO) targets to vaccinate 11,000 to 13,000 kids in Tagbilaran City.

Culpa said the vaccine is specially formulated for the pediatric population.

The pediatric vaccine, called Tozinameran, is manufactured by Pfizer – BioNTech. The dosage to be administered to children is only 0.2ml. The usual dose given is 0.3ml.

Mayor Yap encouraged the parents to bring their children to the vaccination center.

“After your pediatrician’s assessment of your child’s health status, we encourage the parents to bring their children to our designated vaccination center. We are optimistic that this specially formulated vaccine will protect our children from the threat of the COVID-19 virus,” Mayor Yap said.

About 29 kids were inoculated during the ceremonial launch of the vaccination rollout for 5-to-11-year-old children.

The vaccination rollout was held on Feb. 15 to 18, 2022, the City Media Bureau in a report bared.

The following documents were presented by parents prior to the vaccination: (1) documentary proof of the person’s relation to the child such as birth or baptismal certificate; (2) valid ID with picture of the child and the valid ID of the parent; (3) and a medical certificate should be presented if the child has an underlying medical condition. The parents should be wearing face masks as well as the kids. They should also bring hand sanitizers, the report from the City Media Bureau said.

In the absence of the child’s parents, the authorized guardian was required to present the following: special power of attorney (SPA) or duly notarized authorization letter from the parents or an affidavit from the parents providing consent to have the child inoculated; and valid government ID or barangay certificate signed by the Punong Barangay.

The CHO in coordination with the City Events, Culture, and the Arts Office (CECAO) decorated the vaccination center with cartoon characters, the City Media Bureau added in its report.