This is my almost 9 year old Coco. Cooped up at home for more than 2 years already. I rarely brought him out when it is Level 2. We never travelled locally nor internationally at this time. He met his a couple of friends only last December. We rarely meet our family. Negative for Covid-19 but has symptoms early January 2022, during the Omicron surge. He got his FIRST DOSE 💉 of VACCINE against Covid-19 today! 🙏🙏 Thank you Lord!

Many of my friends has sent me a message and asked about how Coco was after the jab. My answer? Well, his arm hurt and he couldn’t move it. Just like when I had my first jab. He was able to eat his McNuggets and Krispy Kreme after. We also walked from Sky Dome to The Block to get to Toy Kingdom to buy his much deserved toy and back. He didn’t have fever, rashes nor the injected part of his arm got swollen. He was very normal the whole day. He didn’t even want to nap after. He laughed so hard while watching his Netflix shows. Edit: 2 days after – I’m not sure if it still really hurts but he was sleeping on his arm the first night and woke up the next day saying it still hurts, like he couldn’t raise it up but he can do small movements already. Today he can now raise it up and it doesn’t hurt much anymore.

Are you having second thoughts about having your children vaccinated? Well, you shouldn’t! Know that being vaccinated against the virus is a gift that we could give our kids after being cooped up at home for more than 2 years already. Sharing information that I learned from reading as well as watching the Resbakuna Kids live (click to watch).

Why do we need to vaccinate the kids too?
We are giving them the additional protection that they need to fight the Covid-19 virus. It doesn’t guarantee that they will NOT get Covid-19 even if it is less severe to the pediatric age group BUT it will definitely help them not to get hospitalized nor get it severely. It would definitely give them more freedom to enjoy the things that they love to do like going to the malls, flying locally or internationally, visiting theme parks and museums or playing in a play place. As well as prepare them for face to face classes in the near future. It could also protect them from children who are not yet vaccinated.

What do we need to know about the Covid-19 vaccine that will be used for our kids?
The Covid-19 Vaccine for children 5 to 11 years old is the mRNA-based Pfizer-BioNTech and is Philippine FDA EUA. They will be given in 2 doses with 21 days interval. At the moment, it is the only approved Covid-19 vaccine for children 5 to 11 years old. It has a different formulation compare to the vaccine of 12 to 17 years old and these children will only get 1/3 of the dosage of the older population, which is 10mg only. Make sure that the cap of the vaccine bottle is orange.

Prioritization of kids with comorbidities is no longer observed unlike with the older population. But it is advised that for those with comorbidities, it is better to consult your pediatrician first as you also have to present a medical certificate. Children who are currently under quarantine or isolation because they currently have the virus can’t be vaccinated yet. There are no medically related claims on why, but Dra. Beverly mentioned in the Resbakuna Kids live that they are not allowed because they might cause spread to other children in the site. When I was filling up the form, there is a question if the child has the virus in the last 14 days. This is just me, but I think it is better to give a 2 weeks lee way from the last day of isolation to the vaccination date. Coco’s 16 days after his last day of isolation. Children with allergy from vaccine ingredients like polyethylene glycol or polysorbate.

Is it safe for children with comorbidities?
Yes, it is SAFE for children with comorbidities to get vaccinated. It is much needed for them to be vaccinated to protect them. Consult with your pediatricians first and make sure that your kid’s medical certificate is available.

Do we expect reactions from the vaccine?
Yes, expect fever, pain in the area vaccinated, fatigue and headache. They will be better within 24 to 48 hours. For fever, you can give paracetamol if the temperature is more than 38°C. Every children is different. Some may be like my son, who didn’t experience any other reactions aside from the pain that he’s feeling in the vaccinated area. If your kid has a more adverse reaction, please contact the LGU where he was vaccinated so they can assist you. You will be advised if you need to bring your child to a medical facility and those with adverse reactions will be investigated. So far from the children I know that were already vaccinated, they didn’t have any of the expected reactions aside from the pain in the vaccinated area.

The Process. Coco was vaccinated via QCVaxEasy. I was able to register him a few weeks ago, then was able to book a schedule in the first few hours it was released. We arrived 10 minutes before our said schedule. In the entrance, I had to present the confirmation e-mail and they gave me an application form after. They didn’t limit the companion at that moment, thus my mom was also able to join us inside. After filling up the form and signed the consent form, I went to the first booth, where documents are confirmed. Then, we were escorted to one of the counseling booths, where the health worker was very kind and gracious to Coco, as she asked me same questions that were asked to us, adults. After that, it was Coco’s turn for his jab. Last stop is the monitoring area, where we stayed for 15 minutes. They will give your kid’s vaccination card after, if no reactions within 15 minutes. The whole process took us less than 30 minutes.

What to prepare? Just bring your child’s valid ID, your valid ID (I brought our passports), parent’s vaccine card, and medical certificate, if with comorbidities. Of course, don’t forget to wear a facemask and bring alcohol. For children with no ID, as well as for guardians joining, parents can ask help from their barangay captains to witness in proving filiation.

It was like a children’s party inside SM North EDSA Sky Dome as the Quezon City LGU dressed the venue with balloons and colorful decorations. They have free balloons, photo ops with characters, clowns and even a Toy Kingdom booth. Kudos to the QC LGU for easing our kids’ nervousness and most importantly to the health workers who were so calm and kind to everyone. Congratulations QCProtekTODO team! Keep up the good work!

Of all the LGUs that I signed up for Coco for a vaccination schedule, it was Quezon City who has the best option for me because you will choose your own schedule here. It means it’s the most flexible and convenient of all. You are not left hanging and thinking when you will get your schedule. Compare to Pasig, Mandaluyong and San Juan, all of which I registered Coco too, that you have to wait for their text message or call. What cities did I register Coco? Pasig City is our main residence. My mom is currently living in Mandaluyong, and I was vaccinated under MandaVax so I have a household code already. We own a condo unit in Quezon City thus we were able to register as well and San Juan is open to non-San Juan residents. EDIT: Pasig called up a day after Coco was vaccinated. That was fast, I didn’t expect it. I guess, he was one of the first because I’ve already made his PasigPass Account the last week of January. EDIT2: San Juan contacted me today, January 10, 2022 for Coco’s schedule. EDIT3: MandaVax contacted me February 25 for a February 26 schedule.

Register your children now via your LGUs. You may check your city’s information Facebook page for more details. You can also click these links for your city’s registration – Pasig City, San Juan, Quezon City, Mandaluyong City, Taguig City, Manila, Marikina City, Makati City | As far as I know, Quezon City allows walk-in limited to 100 kids only.

You can read more about Resbakuna Kids via the DOH Facebook page or you can join us at the TeamBakunanay Facebook Page.

Ps. Please note that I may be little more confident in bringing Coco out but I’m still not confident of having face-to-face classes because it is not a situation I can control.

Coco was so happy to see himself at the Philippine Star’s Facebook page, Philippine Star Instagram Story and the photo used in an article on February 8, 2022. You can read the article here. This is the Facebook post where the same photo was used.

Coco is now fully vaccinated as his second dose happened last February 28, 2022 – exactly 3 weeks after his first dose. What’s great about QCVaxEasy is that there is already a schedule given for you to take note for when the 2nd dose will be administered. Unlike with other cities, who had to wait for the text message that sometimes didn’t arrive exactly 3 weeks after.

Anyway, just like when Coco got his first dose, he didn’t feel any adverse reactions. His arm hurt only for a while compare to when he got his first dose. He was more confident and braver earlier, even if he was still a little scared. Overall, he did a very good jab and now he is protected and safer and is off to great adventures that he missed in the last 2 years.

How about you, have your given your child/ren the Covid-19 vaccination that they need? If not, I hope and pray that you do!